The autopsy findings in a case of heterotopic cardiac transplantation with left ventricular bypass for ischaemic heart failure
Uys, C.J.; Rose, A.G.; Barnard, C.N.
South African Medical Journal 49(49): 2029-2035
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 1105821 Document Number: 88538
The autopsy findings in a White man aged 59 years are presented; he underwent heterotopic cardiac transplantation with left ventricular bypass for irreversible left ventricular failure caused by severe ischaemic heart disease. Microscopically, the donor heart showed mild signs of chronic rejection with negligible loss of functional myocardium, and no complications attributable to the surgical technique. Severe, generalised atherosclerosis had resulted in fibrous replacement of the recipient left ventricular myocardium and intra-operative atheromatous embolisation to the brain, the latter being the main contributory factor in the patient's death. Other significant findings were bilateral femoral vein thrombosis with recurrent pulmonary infarction, Aspergillus granulomata of the right lung, cytomegalovirus infection of lungs and oesophagus, Herpes simplex infection of the tongue and oesophagus, and duodenal ulceration with haemorrhage.