Status IA: The most critically ill patients. Must be hospitalized and requiring mechanical or pharmacological support to sustain life (intraaortic balloon counterpulsation, left ventricular assist device, high doses of intravenous inotropic therapy). New York Heart Association functional class IV.

Status 1B: Less critically ill, but still seriously impaired. These patients may have outpatient daily inotrope infusion. New York Heart Association functional class III or IV.

Status 2: The least urgent patients. These patients rarely receive transplantation since organs are in short supply and given to status 1A or status 1B patients first. New York Heart Association functional class II or III.