[Orthotopic heart transplantation: a clinical analysis of 43 patients].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the experience of orthotopic heart transplantation.


METHODS
Between August 1995 and May 2003, 43 patients with end-stage heart disease, 40 males and 3 females, aged 13 approximately 58, the underlying diseases being of dilated cardiomyopathy (39 cases), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (3 cases), and coronary cardiopathy (1 case), underwent orthotopic heart transplantation in Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University. The surgical results and relevant influencing factors were studied retrospectively.


RESULTS
Seven cases died of complication within one month postoperationally, among which 5 died of acute right heart failure, 1 of septicemia, and 1 of acute renal failure, with a mortality of 16.3%. 5 cases died much later, among which 2 died of acute rejection, 2 of infection, and 1 of arrhythmia. The long-term survivors had a rather good quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Heart transplantation is an effective treatment for patients with end-stage heart diseases. Appropriate selection of recipients with low pulmonary vascular resistance and proper immunosuppression treatment are key measures of successful heart transplantation.
Chen
Liang-wan
LW
Department of Cardiac Surgery, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome