"We look at every other organ system in the body," he said.
If those other organs are healthy, then doctors look at other factors.
"We want to know what the patient's compliance is, what kind of social support do they have, are they going to be taking medications on a regular basis, will they follow instructions? These are critical in heart transplantation," said Najjar.
At age 71, Cheney is among the oldest patients ever to get a new heart.
"Age is one factor, a very important factor, but not the only factor," Najjar said.
Najjar said older patients, in their mid-60s, have done well after a heart transplant. Almost 75 percent are still alive five years after the procedure and nearly half survive for 10 years after having a transplant.
If an older person's other organs function well, doctors consider a patient's physiological age as a greater factor than chronological age. The United Network for Organ Sharing manages the national transplant system for the U.S. government. It reports that the number of donor hearts going to senior citizens has been steadily rising for more than 20 years.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25