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[Present and future of heart transplantation in Japan and the world]
1Osaka University Medical School, Biomedical Research Center, Japan.
Insights
Cardiac transplantation is a life-saving therapy for end-stage heart failure, but donor organ shortages limit its use. Research into alternatives like porcine xenografts is crucial for expanding transplantation options.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Transplantation immunology
- Surgical innovation
Context:
- Cardiac transplantation has become a standard treatment for end-stage congestive heart failure over the last 31 years.
- It significantly improves survival and rehabilitation for carefully selected patients.
- A critical challenge in organ transplantation is the persistent shortage of donor organs worldwide.
Purpose:
- To review the current state and future prospects of organ transplantation.
- To highlight the challenges posed by donor organ scarcity.
- To discuss the ongoing research into alternative organ sources, such as xenografts.
Summary:
- Cardiac transplantation offers improved outcomes for heart failure patients but faces severe donor organ limitations.
- Despite public awareness campaigns, donor numbers have stagnated, leaving many patients without transplants.
- Porcine xenografts have been extensively researched as a potential solution to the allograft shortage since the 1980s.
Impact:
- Addressing the organ shortage is vital to increase the number of successful cardiac transplantations.
- Advancements in xenotransplantation could significantly expand the availability of organs for patients.
- This review provides insights into the evolving landscape of organ transplantation and its future directions.
Abstract:
During the past 31 year, cardiac transplantation has emerged as a standard mode of therapy for patients with end-stage congestive heart failure. At present, cardiac transplantation offers dramatically improved prospects for survival and rehabilitation in properly selected patients. The shortage of donor organs is the most common problem facing organ transplantation today. Despite widespread public education programs, the number of organ donors has leveled off at approximately 5,500 per year worldwide. More than 80% of patients in need of a heart, kidney, or liver allograft fail to receive the needed organ. Extensive research on the use of porcine xenografts as alternatives to allografts has been conducted since the 1980s. In this paper, the prospects for organ transplantation are reviewed.