Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 10, 2025

A Porcine Heterotopic Heart Transplantation Protocol for Delivery of Therapeutics to a Cardiac Allograft
Published on: February 14, 2022
Cardiomyopathy as indication for pediatric heart transplantation
Alireza Raissadati1, Drishti Tolani2, Elizabeth L Profita1
1Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.
Insights
Pediatric cardiomyopathy (CMP) is a serious heart condition in children, often leading to heart failure and the need for transplantation. Ventricular assist devices (VADs) improve survival rates for these young patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- Pediatric cardiomyopathy (CMP) affects 1 in 100,000 children, frequently progressing to end-stage heart failure.
- CMP is the leading cause for pediatric heart transplantation, necessitating careful management of etiologies and listing criteria.
- Navigating waitlist complexities and understanding specific CMP subtypes are crucial for successful outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of pediatric cardiomyopathy progressing to end-stage heart failure requiring transplantation.
- To synthesize current knowledge on CMP etiologies, clinical presentations, and transplant evaluation.
- To highlight the impact of ventricular assist devices (VADs) and contemporary post-transplant management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing current knowledge on pediatric cardiomyopathy and heart transplantation.
- Analysis of etiologies, clinical presentations, and transplant evaluation strategies.
- Examination of the role of mechanical circulatory support, specifically VADs, in bridging to transplant.
Main Results:
- Pediatric CMP is a critical challenge, often leading to heart failure and transplantation.
- Ventricular assist devices (VADs) have significantly improved survival rates for pediatric heart transplant candidates.
- Post-transplant outcomes show continuous improvement with refined long-term management strategies.
Conclusions:
- This review offers an updated framework for clinicians managing pediatric cardiomyopathy and heart failure.
- Optimizing decision-making for transplant evaluation and VAD use is essential for this high-risk population.
- Continued advancements in post-transplant care are improving survival and quality of life.
Abstract:
Pediatric cardiomyopathy (CMP), with an incidence of approximately 1 in 100,000 children, remains a critical clinical challenge. Often progressive, these myocardial disorders frequently culminate in end-stage heart failure, establishing CMP as the primary indication for pediatric heart transplantation. Key considerations for transplantation include specific CMP etiologies and subtypes alongside established listing criteria and strategies to navigate waitlist complexities. The evolving role of mechanical circulatory support, especially ventricular assist devices (VADs), has transformed bridging strategies and significantly improved survival to transplant. Contemporary post-transplant outcomes demonstrate continued improvement, with advancements in survival rates and ongoing refinement of essential long-term management strategies. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of pediatric CMP as it progresses to end-stage heart failure requiring transplantation. It synthesizes current knowledge on etiologies, clinical presentations, transplant evaluation, the transformative impact of VADs, and contemporary post-transplant management, aiming to equip clinicians with an updated framework for complex decision-making and optimizing outcomes in this high-risk population.
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Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
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Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification
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Kidney Transplant I: Introduction

