[1] It holds annual scientific meetings and publishes The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation.

[5] Other founding members include Edward Stinson, Andrea Hastillo, Jacques Losman, Mark Thompson, Jack Copeland, Sir Terence English, Stuart Jamieson and Michael Kaye.

[4] In 1981, cardiac transplantation pioneer Norman Shumway, became the lifetime honorary president and thereafter, the society widened its membership internationally and across specialities including pathology.

[7] The ISHLT lifetime achievement award[8] is given to those whose lifetime work has "made a significant contribution toward improving the care of patients with advanced heart or lung disease" In its thirty eight year history, only seven have been awarded.

[12] In 2014, the award was bestowed to Sir Terence English for "outstanding achievements and tireless dedication in the field of heart and lung transplantation".