Indications for heart transplantation in pediatric heart disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young; the Councils on Clinical Cardiology, Cardiovascular Nursing, and Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia; and the Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Interdisciplinary Working Group.
BACKGROUND
Since the initial utilization of heart transplantation as therapy for end-stage pediatric heart disease, improvements have occurred in outcomes with heart transplantation and surgical therapies for congenital heart disease along with the application of medical therapies to pediatric heart failure that have improved outcomes in adults. These events justify a reevaluation of the indications for heart transplantation in congenital heart disease and other causes of pediatric heart failure.


RESULTS
A working group was commissioned to review accumulated experience with pediatric heart transplantation and its use in patients with unrepaired and/or previously repaired or palliated congenital heart disease (children and adults), in patients with pediatric cardiomyopathies, and in pediatric patients with prior heart transplantation. Evidence-based guidelines for the indications for heart transplantation or retransplantation for these conditions were developed.


CONCLUSIONS
This evaluation has led to the development and refinement of indications for heart transplantation for patients with congenital heart disease and pediatric cardiomyopathies in addition to indications for pediatric heart retransplantation.
Canter
Charles E
CE
St. Louis Children's Hospital, USA.
Shaddy
Robert E
RE
Bernstein
Daniel
D
Hsu
Daphne T
DT
Chrisant
Maryanne R K
MR
Kirklin
James K
JK
Kanter
Kirk R
KR
Higgins
Robert S D
RS
Blume
Elizabeth D
ED
Rosenthal
David N
DN
Boucek
Mark M
MM
Uzark
Karen C
KC
Friedman
Alan H
AH
Friedman
Allen H
AH
Young
James K
JK
D000367:Age Factors; D000572:American Heart Association; D002309:Cardiology / Q000379:methods; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D013504:Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures; D002648:Child; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D009729:Nursing; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D014481:United States