Heart transplantation in Scandinavia
Bergh, C.H.; Berglin, E.; Harjula, A.
Nordisk Medicin 109(12): 329-331
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-1420 PMID: 7997368 Document Number: 435030
Heart transplantation is well established therapy for end-stage heart failure, where no other treatment is available. From 1983 to the end of 1993, 620 heart transplantations were performed in the Nordic countries, the main causes of heart failure being dilated cardiomyopathy and ischaemic heart disease. The 1-year and 5-year actuarial survival rates were above 80 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively, which are higher than corresponding figures reported by the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation. The indications and contra-indications for heart transplantation, pre-operative evaluation and outcome are discussed in the article.