A new study reveals that the U.S. heart transplant list for children may not accurately prioritize the sickest patients, potentially leading to higher mortality rates while waiting for a donor’s heart.
Researchers found that some critically ill children were ranked in lower urgency categories, while less urgent cases sometimes received donor hearts first.
The current ranking system, based on heart problems and medications, does not fully reflect medical urgency, such as kidney or liver function.
Despite advances in medical technology and improved wait-list management, the study suggests that the allocation system could be refined to better prioritize the most critically ill patients.
Researchers advocate for incorporating a broader range of health factors to enhance the fairness and effectiveness of the transplant waitlist.
Peoplesmind
