Cardiac transplantation in women

This article reviews key physiologic and psychosocial issues that affect female heart transplant recipients. Pretransplant concerns ranging from possible gender bias to preformed antibodies are addressed. Posttransplant survival rates by gender and by pretransplant diagnosis are discussed as well as the incidence of major complications. Side effects of immunosuppression therapy that may be of particular concern to women are presented. A number of pregnancy-related issues are summarized, including ethical concerns, contraception methods; pregnancy guidelines; the effects of normal physiologic changes; and peripartum, intrapartum, and postpartum management. Key areas for future research are presented.