Heart transplantation in the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Genetics

Background:

• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders.
• Aortic aneurysms are a known complication in some types of EDS.
• Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of myocardial infarction.

Observation:

• A postpartum patient with EDS and an aortic aneurysm experienced a myocardial infarction.
• The infarction was caused by spontaneous left circumflex coronary artery dissection.
• The patient progressed to end-stage heart failure.

Findings:

• The patient underwent a successful orthotopic heart transplantation.
• This case represents the first documented heart transplant in an individual with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
• Successful transplantation highlights the feasibility of advanced cardiac procedures in select EDS patients.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of cardiovascular complications in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
• It suggests that heart transplantation is a viable option for end-stage heart failure in EDS patients.
• Further research is warranted to explore the long-term outcomes and specific considerations for EDS patients undergoing heart transplantation.