[Combined heart-kidney transplantation in pediatric age]

A case of simultaneous heart and kidney transplantation is presented in a 12 years old girl. The patient suffered from dilated cardiomyopathy and end-stage kidney disease. Bilateral vesico-renal refluxes were corrected at the same time of the duplex transplantation. A multiorgan harvesting from a pediatric 8 years old donor was utilized. Follow-up is 40 months. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and acute tubular necrosis from haemoglobinuria were transient complications. Hemolysis from bypass and extracorporeal circulation was involved as pathogenetic factor of the acute tubular necrosis. Cardiac and renal function remain excellent and the child is fully recovered and resumed a normal and active life. Combined heart and kidney transplantation may be of benefit in selected patients, also in pediatric age.