Congestive heart failure cardiac transplantation
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
- Cardiac transplantation is reserved for patients with end-stage congestive heart failure despite all interventions.
- 80% 1 year survival, and 60% 5 year survival.
- Lifelong immunosuppressive therapy to prevent (or postpone) rejection, increased risk for opportunistic infections and malignancies.
AHA/ACC Guidelines: Indications for heart transplantation:
- Any hemodynamic compromise due to heart failure.
- Requiring IV inotropic support to maintain adequate organ perfusion.
- Peak Vo2 <10 ml/kg/min.
- NYHA Class IV symptoms not amenable to any other intervention.
- Recurrence of symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias refractory to all therapeutic intervention.