The assessment and selection of patients for heterotopic heart transplantation
Cooper, D.K.; Charles, R.G.; Beck, W.; Barnard, C.N.
South African Medical Journal 61(16): 575-578
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 7041286 Document Number: 190888
In the 2-year period 1979-1980, 34 patients were assessed at Groote Schuur Hospital as candidates for heterotopic heart transplantation. Ischaemic heart disease was the most common underlying cause (19 patients), with cardiomyopathy (9), rheumatic heart disease (2), failed transplants (3), and endomyocardial fibrosis (1) as the other causes of myocardial disease. Five patients were not accepted into the transplant programme, 2 declined after being accepted, and in 3 the initial decision of acceptance was later reversed. Nine patients died while awaiting suitable donors, the mean survival time from the date of acceptance being only 26 days. Fifteen patients underwent heterotopic heart transplantation, 11 remaining alive at the end of the period of study; 8 had normally functioning donor hearts but 3 had suffered irreversible rejection and awaited a second transplant.