Precaryous, I didn't want to rely on memory, so I googled around a little to check out some facts and I'll do more tomorrow. You may not have to worry too much about the issue of underlying mental illness.

The main concern is that the patient not be put into greater risk by undergoing medical procedures and that the procedure have a chance of success.

It is considered normal for people with life-threatening medical conditions to suffer from various degrees of depression and anxiety. However, psychosis and major depressive disorder can increase the risk of failure, largely because the patient may become unable or unwilling to monitor their meds, take care of themselves and follow-up with necessary medical checks. There's also a correlation between depression and earlier death (for all patients from all causes) that hasn't been fully explained.

If someone has an unstable mental illness that makes it likely the stress of the procedure will cause them to commit suicide or violence against others or dangerously self-injure or become so unstable in any other way that lives are at risk, then very great caution would be used in the decision to go forward. If the patient is likely to suffer a psychotic reaction the same great care would be taken.

The desired outcome is always to improve the quality of life and/or the quantity of life. As long as the patient appears to have a chance at either of these, the medical benefit is considered worth the risk.

Most medical ethicists say the only concern is whether a mental illness would make it hard for the transplant or procedure to succeed. Improving the chances of success is the only thing that really matters.

Now, down to brass tacks. If you've had only one hospitalization for heart failure, it means you have a proven track record of compliance with your treatment plan to prevent major episodes. You've done well.

Your track record shows your experiences of depression and anxiety have not prevented you from following medical guidelines to stay out of acute episodes that could put you in the hospital. That's what really counts.

Death row inmates qualify for organ transplants. Alcoholics who promise to quit drinking qualify for liver transplants. Smokers qualify for heart-lung transplants. As long as you can provide reasonable assurance that you will continue to follow your treatment plan and you do not plan on suicide, your history of MI should not stand in the way.

I will google around some more tomorrow to see if I can learn anything else relevant. Take care!