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Updated: Oct 19, 2025
An Immunological Model for Heterotopic Heart and Cardiac Muscle Cell Transplantation in Rats
Published on: May 8, 2020
Orthotopic heart transplant in a pediatric patient with mixed connective tissue disease
Chelsea Miller1, Shelby White1, Thomas L'Ecuyer1
1Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Virginia Children's Hospital, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
Background:
Patients with autoimmune inflammatory syndromes such as mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) and systemic lupus erythematosus have previously been considered marginal candidates for orthotopic heart transplant (OHT).
Methods:
A retrospective chart review was completed for this case report.
Results:
We present the case of an 11-year-old girl with known MCTD who developed congestive heart failure refractory to medical therapy and underwent OHT.
Conclusions:
Despite her autoimmune condition, this patient has not experienced antibody-mediated rejection post-transplant and her inflammatory symptoms have greatly improved.
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