Latest developments in heart transplantation: a review.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Transplantation Medicine
• Immunology

Background:

• Heart transplantation (HT) is the primary treatment for advanced heart failure.
• Medical therapies and mechanical support have improved, but HT remains crucial.
• Recent innovations include transplanting hearts from donors after circulatory determination of death.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review significant developments in heart transplantation (HT) published in 2014 and 2015.
• To highlight key advancements impacting HT procedures and outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A MEDLINE search using the keyword "heart transplant" was conducted.
• Relevant articles published in 2014 and 2015 were selected and reviewed.

Main Results:

• Improvements noted in attenuating ischemia-reperfusion injury.
• Advances in patient selection, immunosuppression, and donor organ preservation.
• Progress in detecting and managing cardiac rejection and allograft vasculopathy.

Conclusions:

• Significant advances in the past year offer potential for improved HT outcomes.
• These developments may lead to an increase in the number of heart transplantations performed.
• Continued research promises tangible benefits for HT recipients.