Heart Transplant Survival at 8600 Feet Above Sea Level an Experience in Bogotá Colombia

Thirty-five Years of Heart Transplantation in Medellín: Colombia’s First Center for Cardiac Transplantation

“…7 The 4 heart transplant centers in Bogota, for example, are the only centers in the world located at 8660 ft above sea level. 7 The emerging nature of our country has led to many challenges: suboptimal care of potential recipients, regular adherence to therapy, socioeconomic difficulties during posttransplant followup, nonreturning patients and traumatic donor deaths have been significant factors influencing transplant survival in Colombia. [2][3][4][8][9][10][11] Many transplant recipients also refuse to live in more urban areas and prefer rural locations, challenging postoperative follow-up with delayed identification of complications, thus impeding prompt intervention.…”

“…5,6 The center location is an important factor influencing outcomes and access. 7 The 4 heart transplant centers in Bogota, for example, are the only centers in the world located at 8660 ft above sea level. 7 The emerging nature of our country has led to many challenges: suboptimal care of potential recipients, regular adherence to therapy, socioeconomic difficulties during posttransplant followup, nonreturning patients and traumatic donor deaths have been significant factors influencing transplant survival in Colombia.…”