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Heart transplantation using a donor with partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection and atrial septal defect
Geoffroy de Beco1, Jérôme Duisit2, Alain Jean Poncelet1
1Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium.
Insights
Donor heart shortages increase transplant waiting times and mortality. This case study shows successful heart transplantation using a donor with congenital heart defects, expanding criteria for
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Transplantation Medicine
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Donor organ shortages are a significant challenge in transplantation, leading to increased waiting times and mortality.
- Extended criteria for donor organs are being explored to address the organ scarcity.
- Congenital cardiac anomalies in donors are often considered disqualifying factors.
Observation:
- A case of heart transplantation is presented involving a donor with specific congenital cardiac anomalies.
- The donor had partial anomalous pulmonary venous return, an atrial septal defect (sinus venosus type), and a persistent left-sided superior vena cava.
- Despite these findings, the donor heart was deemed suitable for transplantation.
Findings:
- Successful heart transplantation was achieved using the donor with the described congenital cardiac defects.
- The recipient experienced a positive outcome post-transplantation.
- The use of this donor heart did not appear to increase the risk of transplantation.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential to broaden the definition of 'marginal' donor hearts.
- Increased knowledge of congenital cardiac disease can help identify suitable donors previously considered unsuitable.
- Expanding donor criteria can potentially increase organ availability and reduce transplant waiting lists.
Abstract:
Over the last decade, the shortage of donors has led to increased waiting time prior to transplantation and its related mortality. Therefore, extended criteria for donor hearts have been proposed. In this report, we describe a successful transplantation despite a diagnosis of partial abnormal pulmonary venous return associated with an atrial septal defect sinus venosus and persisting left-sided superior vena cava. Knowledge in congenital cardiac disease can broaden the definition of 'marginal' donor hearts and allow their use without increasing the risk of transplantation.