Mom has 5% heart function and dr says she doesn't need a heart transplant? she has 13 stints, defib., cad, chf, and copd and she's only 45.

Get second opinion: Mom needs to be referred to a transplant center. She must not be a smoker else she will not be a candidate. She will have to get special blood work. With her copd, this is an added risk for any surgery. Having said this, get second opinion from a well recognized transplant center.

5% heart function : If all major arteries are open and there is no lack of blood supply then transplant is the answer. A repeat evaluation of ejection fraction will help. An ef of 5% is usually not consistent with life. I have seen many people with 15 % function improve to 40 % after cabg. All individual situations are unique and need direct input from a cardiologist and a surgeon.