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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Heterotopic Heart Transplantation in Mice
Published on: July 19, 2007
[The heterotopic heart transplantation: first clinical experiences (author's transl)]
Insights
Heterotopic heart transplantation shows promising results in end-stage cardiac disease patients. Six of ten men survived, with most resuming normal activities, indicating potential benefits over other transplant methods.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Transplantation Surgery
Background:
- End-stage cardiac disease necessitates advanced treatment options.
- Cardiac transplantation is a viable solution for end-stage heart failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of heterotopic heart transplantation.
- To compare heterotopic versus orthotopic cardiac transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Ten male patients underwent heterotopic heart transplantation between 1974 and 1977.
- Procedures included left ventricular bypass (2 patients) and right and left bypass (8 patients).
- Patient data including age, underlying condition, and post-operative status were recorded.
Main Results:
- Six out of ten patients (60%) were alive at 3-year follow-up, all in functional class I.
- Five survivors returned to full-time employment.
- Four deaths occurred: three from infection and one from pulmonary embolism; no deaths from acute rejection.
Conclusions:
- Heterotopic heart transplantation demonstrates favorable survival and functional outcomes in selected patients.
- The procedure appears to offer advantages compared to orthotopic transplantation, particularly regarding acute rejection.
Abstract:
Ten patients, all men, have been operated of heterotopic heart transplantation since the end of 1974. Ages ranged from 59 to 24 years with an average of 38 years. Six of them suffered from ischaemic heart disease, two from cardiomiopathy and two from rheumatic heart disease. All of them presented end stage cardiac disease. The first two patients underwent to left ventricular bypass only, in the remaining eight a right and left bypass was performed. At the present time, June 1977, 6 of the original 10 patients are alive all of them in functional class I. Five of them have resumed a full time job, the sixth will be soon able to do so. Four patients died. There were no deaths from acute rejection, but three died from infection, and the fourth one from a pulmonary embolus, 4 months after transplantation. There has been only one episode of acute rejection which has responded well to the treatment. The advantages of the heterotopic versus the orthotopic cardiac transplantation are discussed.
