As a cardiologist specializing in advanced heart failure, I’m in the business of making predictions. Will this patient derive an improved quality of life and survival from a heart transplant? Will that patient fare worse from a transplant and is thus better suited for hospice? And if this patient will benefit, will we find a donor in time, or should the patient receive mechanical support as a bridge?
I’m generally pretty good at making these predictions. When there is a fork in the treatment road, based on my knowledge of the pathophysiology and natural history of the disease, I know which path my patient should take. But sometimes a questionable decision results in an acceptable outcome and at other times, the right decision ends in tragedy.