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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
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A High-Fidelity Porcine Model of Orthotopic Heart Transplantation Following Donation after Circulatory Death
Published on: June 6, 2025
Heart transplantation in a low-organ-donation environment: a single center experience
A Gkouziouta1, S Adamopoulos, A Manginas
1Heart and Lung Transplantation Unit, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece.
Transplantation Proceedings
|December 17, 2009
Summary
Strict criteria and close follow-up in heart transplantation lead to excellent survival rates, even with limited donor availability. This approach ensures optimal outcomes for patients with end-stage heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Transplantation Medicine
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Heart transplantation is the optimal treatment for end-stage heart failure.
- Low transplant volumes may impact patient outcomes.
- Greece faces a shortage of organ donors, averaging seven per million population annually.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of heart transplantation performed under strict selection criteria.
- To assess the impact of low transplant frequency on results.
- To analyze the effectiveness of multidisciplinary follow-up in a low-donor-rate environment.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 73 orthotopic heart transplants from 1996-2008.
- Inclusion of patients meeting strict recipient and donor criteria.
- Close post-transplant follow-up at Greece's sole accredited transplant center.
Main Results:
- Low perioperative (5.47%) and long-term (7.5%) mortality rates.
- Excellent survival rates: 94% at 1 year, 92% at 5 years, and 70% at 10 years.
- Significant functional recovery observed in transplant recipients.
Conclusions:
- Stringent selection of recipients and donors is crucial for successful heart transplantation.
- Rigorous multidisciplinary follow-up enhances patient outcomes.
- Excellent results are achievable despite limited graft availability.
