Patients Want Albany Med's Heart Transplant Program Reinstated

The heart transplant program at Albany Medical Center remains on hold as its records are investigated. But later today, some of the program's patients are getting together to call for an immediate reinstatement. The group is known as Heart to Heart, a support network for heart transplant patients at Albany Med. They want the hospital's transplant program, and the two doctors in charge of it, reinstated by the end of this week.

The program and doctors were suspended early this month after an audit by the United Network for Organ Sharing. It showed that patients listed as top priority for transplant did not have all of the documentation to back that classification up. Right now the hospital is investigating whether some patients' conditions were exaggerated in order to move them up on heart transplant registries. Between January 2001 and March 2003, 45 patients were listed as 1A, the most urgent slot on the national waiting list.

Once the UNOS audit came out, Albany Med voluntarily suspended the program for up to one year. During that time 16 patients awaiting heart transplants are being transported to other hospitals with transplant programs. In addition to the program, Albany Med also suspended transplant surgeon Dr. Charles Canver and transplant cardiologist Dr. Lawrence Zisman. The hospital is contractually required to either reinstate or fire both doctors by November 2nd.

Albany Med's program began three years ago, with 88 transplants conducted since then. Some of the recipients formed the Heart to Heart support group. Members usually get together for reunion-type events, like picnics. This afternoon they will gather to fight for the program that has given them what they call a second lease on life. Heart to Heart members will hold a news conference at the Desmond to talk about their experiences with the program. They plan to call for the immediate reinstatement of the program as well as Dr. Canver and Dr. Zisman.

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This article posted October 25, 2003.