Heart transplantation is the only available method of treatment for some patients in the end stage of heart disease. Permanent shortage of donors for heart transplantation forced us to reevaluate critically potential donors who had previously been excluded primarily due to hemodynamic criteria. Seventy potential donors were examined according to hemodynamic criteria; 57 being allocated to a normal risk group and thirteen to a high risk group. After extensive medical management including administration of ADH hormone, nitroglycerine and high doses of inotropic agents, six donors were transferred to a normal risk group, followed by successful heart transplantation in all cases. Extensive medical treatment can enhance the number of potential heart donors, thus increasing the availability of this form of treatment.

Keywords: Heart Transplantation, donor criteria, donor hemodynamic studies