Heart transplantation has become an established procedure for the treatment of terminal heart failure. However, due to a shortage of donor organs, the waiting period for a donor organ is increasing. Cross-sectional and retrospective studies have indicated that there is tremendous psychological distress during this waiting period. The aim of this study was to assess this phase systematically and longitudinally. At the beginning of their waiting period, 62 patients at the Heidelberg Transplantation Centre were examined with regard to their physical complaints, quality of life, and level of depression. Four months later the remaining 42 patients were re-examined. The sample showed a significant increase (p
