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Updated: Oct 2, 2026
A Modified Method for Heterotopic Mouse Heart Transplantion
Published on: June 23, 2014
Experience of patients with end-stage heart failure who underwent heart transplant at UCLA
M Hachida1, M Nonoyama, M Miyagishima
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart Institute of Japan, Tokyo Women's Medical College, Japan.
Insights
Japanese heart transplant patients achieved 100% survival at 1 and 3 years post-operation. This study highlights successful outcomes for dilated cardiomyopathy patients receiving heart transplants, potentially encouraging the procedure in Japan.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Transplantation Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Limited donor heart availability in Japan necessitated international transplantation.
- Nine Japanese patients with dilated cardiomyopathy sought heart transplants at UCLA Medical Center between 1993 and 1997.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of Japanese heart transplant recipients at UCLA.
- To assess the long-term survival and functional status of these patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of nine Japanese heart transplant candidates.
- Utilized left ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplant in one case.
- Administered triple immunosuppressive therapy (azathioprine, steroids, cyclosporine) with FK506 used for refractory rejection.
Main Results:
- All nine patients survived surgery and long-term, with 100% actuarial 1- and 3-year survival rates.
- Postoperative functional status was New York Heart Association Class 1 in all patients.
- Low incidence of acute rejection (grade 3) within 6 months; no rejection episodes thereafter. Two patients developed post-transplant coronary artery disease, stabilized with diltiazem.
Conclusions:
- Heart transplantation is a viable and successful option for Japanese patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
- The study demonstrates excellent long-term survival and functional recovery.
- Findings may support the expansion of heart transplantation programs in Japan.
Abstract:
From 1993 to 1997, nine Japanese heart transplant candidates were accepted by the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, because no donor heart was available in Japan from a brain-dead patient. In all nine heart transplant patients described in this investigation, the preoperative diagnosis was dilated cardiomyopathy. One patient underwent implantation with a Novacor left ventricular assist device (Baxter Japan, Tokyo, Japan) as a bridge to heart transplant. All patients survived surgery and for a long-term period. The actuarial 1-year and 3-year survival curves of these patients were both 100%. The postoperative functional status was New York Heart Association Class 1 in all patients (100%). Immunosuppressive triple drug therapy (azathioprine, steroids, and cyclosporine) was given in seven patients; in two patients, cyclosporine was withdrawn and replaced by FK506 due to refractory rejection. The incidence of acute rejection per patient of more than grade 3 according to the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation was 6% within 3 months and 4.5% in 3-6 months; there was no rejection episode more than 6 months after transplantation. Post-transplant coronary artery disease was seen in two patients. However, no disease progression was seen after diltiazem therapy. These results may encourage heart transplantation in Japan.
