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Published on: June 16, 2022
Heart
M Colvin1,2, J M Smith2,3, M A Skeans2
1Department of Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
Insights
Heart transplant numbers are rising steadily for both adults and children, with more candidates added to waiting lists each year. Despite increased procedures, long-term survival rates for pediatric heart transplant recipients show ongoing challenges.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Transplantation Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- The demand for heart transplants is increasing globally.
- Rising numbers of candidates on heart transplant waiting lists present significant challenges.
- Steady annual increases in heart transplant procedures offer hope.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in heart transplant waitlist activity for adult and pediatric candidates.
- To evaluate the volume and outcomes of heart transplant procedures over time.
- To assess survival rates for pediatric heart transplant recipients.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of national heart transplant waitlist data.
- Review of heart transplant procedure statistics from 2003 to 2014.
- Examination of survival data for pediatric heart transplant recipients (2008-2012).
Main Results:
- Heart transplants increased by 28.4% from 2003 to 2014, with 2679 procedures in 2014.
- Both adult and pediatric waiting lists saw increased additions and removals due to transplant.
- Pediatric heart transplants rose to 410 in 2014; 5-year survival was 81.7% for transplants in 2008-2012.
Conclusions:
- While heart transplant volume is increasing, waitlist demand continues to grow.
- Improved outcomes and survival rates are crucial, especially for pediatric recipients.
- Continued monitoring and research are essential to address the gap between demand and supply in heart transplantation.
Abstract:
As the number of candidates listed for heart transplant continues to rise, it is encouraging that the number of heart transplants also continues to rise steadily each year. Evaluation of waitlist activity demonstrates a growing number of adult candidates removed from the list due to undergoing transplant, but also growing numbers of adult candidates added to the list over the past 3 years. In 2014, 2679 heart transplants were performed, an increase of 28.4% since 2003, and the number of people living with a transplanted heart continued to increase. The number of new pediatric candidates added to the heart transplant waiting list increased to 593 in 2014. The number of pediatric heart transplants performed each year increased from 293 in 2003 to 410 in 2014. Almost 60% of pediatric candidates waiting on December 31, 2014, had been waiting for less than 1 year, compared with 43.0% in 2004. Among pediatric patients who underwent transplant in 2008-2012, overall cumulative incidence of death at 1, 3, and 5 years was 9.2%, 14.7%, and 18.3%, respectively.
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