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Published on: March 7, 2013
Impact of donor and recipient sex on outcome
Sebastian Michel1, Bruno Meiser, Ingo Kaczmarek
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich Medical Center, Munich, Germany.
Insights
Donor and recipient sex significantly impacts heart transplant outcomes. Male recipients with female donors face higher early mortality, while female recipients show better long-term survival, particularly with female donors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Transplantation Immunology
- Medical Research
Background:
- The influence of donor and recipient sex on heart transplantation (HTx) outcomes remains a subject of debate.
- Understanding these sex-based dynamics is crucial for optimizing post-transplant results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on the impact of donor and recipient sex on heart transplantation outcomes.
- To clarify controversial aspects regarding sex matching in HTx.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of recent literature.
- Analysis of outcomes based on donor-recipient sex combinations.
Main Results:
- A male recipient/female donor combination is associated with increased early mortality after HTx.
- Female recipients demonstrate superior long-term survival, especially when receiving hearts from female donors.
- Female recipients of male donor hearts experience more cellular rejection episodes, though this does not negate their superior long-term survival.
Conclusions:
- While sex matching in HTx is ideal, it may not always be feasible without extending wait times.
- The combination of a female donor and a male recipient warrants careful consideration and evaluation due to potential risks.
Purpose Of Review:
The impact of donor and recipient sex on outcome after heart transplantation (HTx) is discussed controversially. Therefore, the recent findings in this field were reviewed.
Recent Findings:
The combination male recipient/female donor increases the risk for early mortality, whereas other sex constellations yield similar outcomes after HTx. In the long-term follow-up, survival of female recipients is superior, especially in the combination female recipient/female donor. Female recipients of male donor hearts are more susceptible to cellular rejection episodes. Their superior long-term outcome, however, is not affected by that.
Summary:
Sex matching in HTx, although desirable, is not always possible without prolonging waiting times for the desired donor heart. The combination female donor-male recipient should be evaluated with caution.
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