Tufts Medical Center performed the hospital’s first heart transplant in 1985 and is now a leader in cardiac transplantation. Since the year 2000, Tufts MC has performed the most adult heart transplants in New England and in 2023 we broke our own New England record with 61 adult heart transplants performed in a calendar year. “The success of our heart transplant program is a testament to our commitment to our patients, the incredible skill of our team as well as our relationships with cardiologists and heart failure specialists at centers throughout New England,” said David DeNofrio, MD, Director of Heart Failure Network Development at Tufts Medical Center. “We’re privileged to reflect on what we’ve accomplished and looking forward to providing this life-saving care for years to come.”
2012 Tufts Medical Center heart transplant recipient, Angelo Rinchiuso shared his experience: “While I was waiting for my heart, my goal was to stay alive for my daughter’s wedding, and I was able to walk 3 her down the aisle just 3 months after my transplant”, says Tufts Medical Center heart transplant recipient, Angelo Rinchiuso. “Twelve years later, I have 5 grandkids and I appreciate every single day. The care I received was outstanding and I’m thankful for the Tufts Medical Center team, my donor and my family.”
In October of 2025, Tufts Medical Center will celebrate 40 years as a leader in cardiac transplantation. We are committed to pursuing advances in research and technology for organ procurement,” said Indranee N. Rajapreyar, MD, Tufts Medical Center’s Medical Director, Cardiac Transplantation. “This includes heart transplant that uses a heart from a donor who has suffered a circulatory death (DCD), allowing more hearts to be donated and expanding access to this life-saving treatment.
According to the most recent United Network For Organ Sharing (UNOS) Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data, adult heart transplants nationwide increased by more than 11 percent in 2023, compared to 2022 data. With 4,039 total adult heart transplants across the country in 2023, the U.S. surpassed the 4,000 mark in a calendar year for the first time ever.
