Strategies to manage the heart failure patient after transplantation.
Cardiac transplantation has emerged as an effective form of therapy for end-stage congestive heart failure (CHF), but patients are predisposed to both dilated and restrictive congestive physiology. The etiologies of post-transplant CHF are unique and complicated, most certainly reflecting a chronic rejection process that has yet to be elucidated. Successful identification of underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms and subsequent therapeutic approaches will require close coordination among cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and immunobiologists.
Mudge
G H
GH
Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right / Q000502:physiology