Long-term outcomes of orthotopic heart transplantation: a clinical analysis of 40 cases / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the experience of long-term outcomes of orthotopic heart transplantation. Methods From Aug. 1995 to Dec. 2004, 40 patients with end-stage dilatation cardiomyopathy, 36 males and 4 females, aged 13～60 years underwent orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) , 39 standard styles and 1 total style. Results 40 cases were all successful treated. The survival time is from 8 to 112 months with heart function of 0-I degree. All cases are in good quality of live and enjoy normal entertainments and work. Pulmonary infection and cardiac arrhythmia are the most common complications but they did not degrade the result after proper treatments. Conclusion Heart transplantation is an effective treatment for patients with end-stage heart diseases. Appropriate selections of recipients with low pulmonary vascular resistance, satisfactory myocardial preservation are the key points to success. The precautions and prompt treatments to the postoperative complications are guarantee for the ultimate results of heart transplantations.