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Successful launch of cardiac transplantation in Japan. Osaka University Cardiac Transplant Program
1Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan. mhori@medone.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Insights
Cardiac transplantation is now available in Japan following legal advancements and public education. The first successful procedure in 1999 involved a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Transplantation Medicine
- Medical Ethics
Background:
- Cardiac transplantation is a key therapy for end-stage heart failure.
- Japan has a history of limited cardiac transplantation since 1968.
- Legislation for brain death approval was passed in 1997, but regular procedures remained infrequent.
Observation:
- Public education on brain death and organ donation was crucial.
- The first cardiac transplant under new legislation occurred in February 1999 at Osaka University Hospital.
- The recipient was a 47-year-old male with dilated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, supported by a left ventricular assist device.
Findings:
- Successful cardiac transplantation was achieved in Japan in 1999.
- This marked a significant advancement after decades of limited activity.
Implications:
- The event signifies a new era for advanced cardiac therapies in Japan.
- It highlights the impact of legislative changes and societal engagement on medical progress.
- Further development of cardiac transplantation in Japan is anticipated.
Abstract:
Cardiac transplantation has been established as a therapeutic strategy for patients with end-stage heart failure. In Japan, however, cardiac transplantation has not been performed since the first case in 1968, and even now, after legislation for the approval of brain death was passed in 1997, it is still not performed regularly. Following long and steady efforts to enlighten Japanese society about the concept of brain death and the importance of organ transplantation, the first cardiac transplantation under the new legislation was successfully performed at Osaka University Hospital on February 1999. The patient was 47-year-old male in the dilated phase of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who had been supported with an implantable left ventricular assist device. This article briefly reviews the situation prior to the first case of cardiac transplantation under the new legislation and discusses the current status of the therapy in Japan.
