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Cardiac transplantation and mechanical assistance

V Jeevanandam1

  • 1Surgical Director, Cardiomyopathy and Transplantation, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.

Surgical Technology International
|February 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Human heart transplantation evolved from experimental to clinical reality. Advances in immunosuppression, particularly Cyclosporin A, significantly improved patient survival and increased the number of cardiac transplant procedures performed globally.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Immunology
  • Transplantation Medicine

Background:

  • Human heart transplantation initiated in 1967 but faced high early mortality due to rejection and infection.
  • Early challenges limited the widespread adoption of cardiac transplantation procedures.
  • Dr. Norman Shumway's work was pivotal in advancing the field.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a historical overview of human heart transplantation.
  • To highlight key advancements that transformed the procedure.
  • To discuss the current status and volume of heart transplantation.

Main Methods:

  • Historical review of cardiac transplantation milestones.
  • Examination of advancements in immunosuppressive therapy.
  • Analysis of trends in transplant volume.

Main Results:

  • Initial high mortality rates were significantly reduced by improved immunosuppression and rejection management.
  • The introduction of Cyclosporin A in the 1980s led to a dramatic increase in transplant numbers.
  • Heart transplantation is now a standard treatment for advanced heart failure.

Conclusions:

  • Significant progress in immunosuppression and surgical techniques has made heart transplantation a viable treatment option.
  • Cyclosporin A revolutionized cardiac transplantation, enabling its widespread clinical application.
  • Approximately 5000 heart transplantations are performed annually worldwide, underscoring its established role in managing heart failure.

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