Heart transplantation in children and young adults: early and intermediate-term results

Ann Thorac Surg. 1995 Apr;59(4):804-11; discussion 811-2. doi: 10.1016/0003-4975(95)00006-7.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to report our short- and intermediate-term follow-up of cardiac transplantation for congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathy in children (age greater than 6 months), adolescents, and young adults. Thirty patients (ages 8 months to 24 years) with end-stage heart failure have undergone cardiac transplantation in our program: 12 (40%) for postoperative end-stage heart failure, 9 (30%) as primary treatment for congenital heart disease, 5 (17%) for dilated cardiomyopathy, and 4 (13%) for restrictive/hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Nineteen patients (63%) had undergone prior operations; 4 patients received transplants for failed Fontan procedures. Induction therapy with antithymocyte therapy was used routinely, and long-term immunosuppression was by cyclosporine and azathioprine alone. Rejection surveillance/diagnosis was based on echocardiographic criteria. Posttransplantation follow-up ranges from 3 to 78 months. Operative mortality was 3.3% (1/30). No patients have been diagnosed with either accelerated allograft atherosclerosis or posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease. We conclude that cardiac transplantation may be performed with excellent early and intermediate-term results.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / surgery*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / surgery*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive / surgery*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Graft Rejection / epidemiology
  • Graft Rejection / therapy
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / surgery*
  • Heart Transplantation* / methods
  • Heart Transplantation* / mortality
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Artery / surgery
  • Reoperation