title: Age limits for heart transplantation: medical aspects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To contribute to the analysis of the medical issue of aging as a selection criteria for heart transplantation (HT) METHODS: Elderly candidates (52 subjects, aged > or = 60) were compared with younger patients (64 candidates, aged 50-55) in: clinical pattern (sex, etiology, duration of disease); laboratory and instrumental data (multiple organ function, hemodynamics, maximal and submaximal exercise capacity, nutritional status); follow-up (death, transplantation, status I, decompensation, complications) of at least 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When compared with younger candidates, over 60 patients did not differ in clinical pattern, in all instrumental data, in end-organ function, in transplantation rate, in fatal and non-fatal cardiac events. In both groups the medical management was similarly complex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In regard to the medical issue, no reasons emerged to exclude older patients suitable from HT.
authors.affiliation: Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Institute of Care and Scientific Research Medical Center of Montescano.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Opasich
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sisti
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Febo
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Riccardi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Capomolla
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Assandri
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cobelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Viganò
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tavazzi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D018579:Patient Selection; D015996:Survival Rate