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Updated: Nov 16, 2025
Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
Published on: July 18, 2014
Total Artificial Heart as Bridge to Cardiac Retransplantation
Ronit H Zadikany1, Robert M Cole, David H Chang
1From the Department of Cardiology, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles, California.
Insights
Total artificial heart (TAH) use as a bridge to cardiac retransplantation is high-risk. Sensitization increases poor outcomes in these complex patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Transplantation Medicine
- Mechanical Circulatory Support
Background:
- Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is utilized as a bridge to cardiac retransplantation for graft failure.
- Limited data exists on the total artificial heart (TAH) specifically as a bridge to retransplantation.
Observation:
- This study reports on the institutional experience with three patients receiving a TAH as a bridge to cardiac retransplantation.
- One patient survived the retransplantation procedure.
Findings:
- The use of TAH as a bridge to cardiac retransplantation is associated with significant risks.
- Patient sensitization emerged as a critical factor correlating with adverse outcomes post-TAH and retransplantation.
Implications:
- Cardiac retransplantation candidates requiring TAH support face a high-risk scenario.
- Addressing pre-existing sensitization is crucial for improving outcomes in patients undergoing TAH bridging to retransplantation.
Abstract:
Mechanical circulatory support has been performed as a bridge to cardiac retransplantation in selected patients with graft failure. However, there is limited published experience on the use and potential benefit of the total artificial heart (TAH) as a bridge to cardiac retransplantation. We report on our institutional experience with 3 patients that received TAH as a bridge to retransplant, with 1 patient surviving post-retransplantation. This case series demonstrates the high-risk nature of this undertaking in cardiac retransplant candidates and highlights the issue of sensitization portending greater risk for poor outcomes after TAH as bridge to retransplantation.
