Pediatric heart transplantation.
Since the introduction of cyclosporine in the early 1980s, there has been a surge of activity in the field of pediatric heart transplantation. Careful patient selection has resulted in operative and short-term patient survival comparable to that achieved in adult transplant programs. The results of neonatal heart transplantation have been exciting and encouraging; neonates may require less immunosuppressive therapy than older infants and children. Transplantation clearly offers the chance of survival and significant rehabilitation to children with end-stage heart disease. Long-term management issues include the effects of chronic immunosuppressive therapy on growth and development and renal function, and the time-related risk of rejection, infectious complications, neoplasms, and graft atherosclerosis.
George Washington School of Medicine, Washington, DC.
M L
ML
Jacobs
J F
JF
Williams
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006128:Growth; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D014019:Tissue Donors
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents