A high-volume heart transplantation center in an Islamic country

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Transplant Surgery
• Public Health

Background:

• Cardiac transplantation is infrequently performed in many Middle Eastern, predominantly Muslim countries.
• Limited data exists on the feasibility and outcomes of heart transplantation in this region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the experience and outcomes of cardiac transplantation at a center in Saudi Arabia.
• To assess the transplant activity, complications, and survival rates.
• To compare outcomes with international standards.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 76 cardiac transplant recipients between January 2005 and May 2010.
• Exclusion of 50 earlier transplants (1989-2004) due to incomplete data.
• Primary outcome measures included complications, 30-day mortality, and 1-year survival.

Main Results:

• Heart transplant activity increased 4.5-fold during the study period (15.0/year) compared to 1989-2004 (3.3/year).
• Major complications included infection (10), low-grade rejection (9), reoperation for hemorrhage (8), and sternal dehiscence (2).
• 30-day mortality was 7.8% (6/76), with 1-year and 3-year actuarial survival rates of 87.4% and 81.5%, respectively.

Conclusions:

• A hospital in a Muslim country can successfully increase cardiac transplant activity.
• Outcomes, including 30-day mortality and early survival, are comparable to international benchmarks.
• This study demonstrates the viability of robust cardiac transplant programs in the Middle East.