Related Experiment Videos
Infant orthotopic cardiac transplantation
C Mavroudis1, H Harrison, J B Klein
1Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Ky 40292.
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
|December 1, 1988
Summary
Infant heart transplants for congenital heart disease show promising short-term survival. This procedure is a viable option for severe, untreatable conditions, with recipients experiencing positive outcomes post-transplant.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Transplant Surgery
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Infant orthotopic cardiac transplantation is a developing treatment for severe congenital heart disease.
- Early results indicate potential for improved outcomes in select pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and short-term outcomes of infant orthotopic cardiac transplantation.
- To assess the efficacy of transplantation for conditions like hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 16 infants for cardiac transplantation between June 1986 and September 1987.
- Performed orthotopic cardiac transplantation on five eligible infants using specific surgical techniques and immunosuppression protocols.
- Monitored for rejection using clinical evaluation and monocyte cell cycle analysis, avoiding routine imaging.
Main Results:
- Five infants underwent successful orthotopic cardiac transplantation, with four surviving long-term (8-23 months post-op).
- One neonate died due to pre-transplant donor heart issues; other non-transplanted candidates faced mortality or were withdrawn from consideration.
- Six rejection episodes were successfully treated in four patients; post-transplant catheterization showed good graft function and no complications.
Conclusions:
- Infant orthotopic cardiac transplantation is an acceptable and effective procedure for severe, untreatable congenital heart disease.
- Encouraging short-term results support the continued application of this life-saving intervention in infants.