Background: In the selection process of heart recipient multiple factors are considered. The aim was to analyse the influence of the body weight of the adult heart recipient on the chance to obtain a heart transplant. In the POLKARD HF registry 658 patients (pts),(578 men), age 49±11.6 years, mean weight 77.5±15 kg were registered on the waiting list as potential heart transplant recipients. Transplanted (T) and not transplanted (NT) patients were compared. The frequencies of transplantation and probability of not having a transplant Kaplan Meier curves were analyzed (log rank test) stratified by recipient's body weight. Significance of recipient's weight on heart transplant probability was tested with a multivariate proportional hazard Cox model.
Results: 325 pts had heart transplantation (OHT) during follow-up. 60% recipients weighing below 80 kg were transplanted compared with 37% weighing 80 kg or more (p<0.0001). Only weight (p<0.00001) and age (p<0.05)were significant in the multivariate model. Survival curves before OHT were similar between pts stratified by body weight. The chance to receive a heart transplant decreased by every 10 kg of body weight increase, in pts heavier that 80 kg. The lowest probability of OHT was seen in pts with a body weight exceeding 100 kg (30%)
Conclusions: 1. In adult heart transplant candidates the chance to receive a
heart transplant significantly decreases if the recipient' s weight exceeds 80 kg.
2. Patients with a body weight more than 110 kg had a poor chance to receive
a heart transplant.

Keywords: Heart Transplantation