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Long-term survival and function after cardiac transplantation
Annals of Surgery
|October 1, 1981
Summary
Long-term cardiac transplant survivors (5+ years) show stable heart function and good quality of life. Improved post-operative care has increased the five-year survival rate for heart transplant recipients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- Cardiac transplantation offers prolonged survival for patients with end-stage heart disease.
- Assessing long-term outcomes is crucial for understanding transplant efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the hemodynamic and clinical characteristics of patients surviving five or more years post-cardiac transplantation.
- To evaluate the quality of life and graft health in long-term heart transplant survivors.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal follow-up of 25 patients surviving 5+ years post-cardiac transplant.
- Annual cardiac catheterization to assess systolic function and coronary anatomy.
- Clinical evaluation for quality of life, employment, and hospital readmissions.
Main Results:
- Left ventricular ejection fraction remained stable in long-term survivors.
- 19% of patients developed significant graft coronary artery disease.
- Long-term survivors experienced infrequent hospital admissions and high rates of employment and rehabilitation.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac transplantation provides prolonged survival with good quality of life for selected patients.
- Improved early postoperative management has significantly increased five-year survival rates.
- Long-term graft function and patient well-being are achievable outcomes.