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[The heart transplant. The initial experience of the Instituto do Coração de Pernambuco]
C R Moraes1, J V Rodrigues, D Tenório
1Instituto do Coração de Pernambuco, Recife, PE.
Insights
This study reports the initial heart transplant outcomes in Recife, Pernambuco. Five of six patients with end-stage heart failure survived and are in functional class I, indicating promising long-term results.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Transplant Surgery
Context:
- End-stage heart failure presents a critical clinical challenge.
- Heart transplantation is a life-saving intervention for eligible patients.
- Establishing new transplant programs is vital for expanding access to care.
Purpose:
- To document the early experience and outcomes of the inaugural heart transplant program in Recife, Pernambuco.
- To evaluate the feasibility and initial success of orthotopic heart transplantation in a Brazilian cohort.
Summary:
- Six patients with end-stage heart failure (four coronary heart disease, two dilated cardiomyopathy) underwent orthotopic heart transplantation.
- The mean patient age was 43.8 years (range 15-61).
- One patient died from acute rejection on postoperative day 28; the five survivors achieved functional class I status at a mean follow-up of 113 days.
Impact:
- The initial results suggest that the Recife heart transplant program can achieve favorable long-term outcomes.
- This experience provides a foundation for future cardiac transplantation services in the region.
- Successful implementation of heart transplantation can improve survival and quality of life for patients with advanced heart failure.
Purpose:
To describe the initial experience of a heart transplant program in Recife, Pernambuco.
Methods:
Six patients in the final stage of heart failure were submitted to heart transplant. There were 4 male and 2 female patients, ranging in age from 15 to 61 years (mean, 43.8). Four had coronary heart disease and two dilated cardiomyopathy. The conventional operative technique of orthotopic heart transplant was used. All patients received a triple drug immunosuppressive therapy.
Results:
There was one death due to acute rejection on the 28th postoperative day. The 5 survivors are in functional class I in a mean follow-up period of 113 days.
Conclusion:
The initial experience of a heart transplant program in Recife, Pernambuco, suggests that good long term results could be expected.