Which condition is considered an exclusion criterion for heart transplantation?

The exclusion criterion for heart transplantation is primarily a condition that poses a substantial risk to the success of the transplant, both for the recipient’s health post-transplant and for the long-term viability of the transplanted heart. Diabetes with end organ damage significantly affects the overall health of individuals and can complicate the post-transplant recovery and outcomes. End organ damage suggests that diabetes has already affected vital organs such as the eyes, kidneys, or nerves, which increases the likelihood of complications following the transplantation procedure.

In contrast, controlled hypertension, non-invasive cancer history, and isolated sleep apnea may not have the same immediate and pronounced detrimental effects on transplant outcomes. Controlled hypertension indicates that the patient’s condition is managed and does not pose a risk, while a non-invasive cancer history is typically viewed as manageable as long as cancer is not active and the prognosis is good. Isolated sleep apnea, particularly if treated, is usually not considered a significant barrier to transplant eligibility. Thus, these conditions do not present the same level of concern for long-term complications as diabetes with end organ damage does.