title: [Heart transplant over 55 years].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The age of recipient has been thought for several years to be one of the most important predictors of survival after heart transplantation. Therefore patients older than age 50 years were usually excluded from heart transplantation. The marked improvement in survival after clinical introduction of cyclosporine made a critical revision of selection criteria for heart recipients. In this article we retrospectively analyze the outcome of heart transplantation dividing the patients into two groups: Group A < or = 55 years, Group B > 55 years respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed 437 patients who underwent heart transplantation, immunosuppressive protocol for all the patients was cyclosporine, azathioprine and prednisone. Group A included 284 patients, Group B 153 patients. We studied demographic, clinical and haemodynamic data pre- and post-operatory in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In Group A was more frequent dilated cardiomyopathy (p < 0.01) and the patients arrived at heart transplantation in worse haemodynamic conditions requiring more frequently inotropic infusion and/or mechanical support (intraaortic balloon pump, left ventricular assist device). Post-operatory course was more complicated in Group B patients where ischemic cardiomyopathy was more frequent (p < 0.001); intensive care stay, inotropic drugs infusion, mechanical ventilation and hospital mortality were higher in Group B, although non significantly. The donor age was significantly higher in Group B (p < 0.001), anyway the statistical analysis did not show a correlation between donor age and more complicated post-operative course. Follow-up did not show significative differences in the two groups considering haemodynamic data, metabolic disorders, graft coronary disease, infection and rejection rates. On Group B is significantly higher tumor incidence (p < 0.05) and peripheral vascular complications (p < 0.01). Actuarial survival at 5 and 7 years is respectively in Group A 80.3 and 72.9%, in Group B 75.4 and 71% (p = ns).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Heart transplantation in patients older than 55 years with end-stage heart disease is a valid therapeutic option with excellent long-term survival; pre-operative screening must be particularly accurate and older donors should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Cardiochirugia Centro C. Dubost, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pederzolli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Grande
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Goggi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Minizioni
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Castiglione
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gavazzi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campana
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Viganò
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014019:Tissue Donors
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents
vernacular_title: Il trapianto cardiaco dopo i 55 anni.