Heterotopic heart transplantation: current status in 1988

Among the 480 patients who underwent heart transplantation in our institution (since 1968), 40 patients received an allograft in the heterotopic position. The recipients were evaluated by using hemodynamics and Doppler echocardiography before and after surgery. Ten to 30 days after surgery, preoperative pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) decreased significantly (p less than 0.005). Cardiac output increased significantly (p less than 0.0001). Postoperative Doppler echocardiography showed that heterotopic hearts had an excellent ejection fraction (mean 73% +/- 11%). No improvement occurred in the left ventricular function of the native heart. Among the factors affecting short-term prognosis of heterotopic heart transplantation (HHT) recipients. PVR seems to be the most important determinant of survival. HHT does not seem to improve the prognosis of patients with elevated PVR. HHT, however, is still indicated in large patients and in emergency situations in which an available donor heart appears unable to support the recipient's circulation if used in the orthotopic position.