The Past, Present and Future of Heart Transplantation
- Author:
In Cheol KIM
1
;
Jong Chan YOUN
;
Jon A KOBASHIGAWA
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords: Heart transplantation; History; Current practice; Forecasting; Heart failure
- MeSH: Allografts; Forecasting; Heart Failure; Heart Transplantation; Heart; Humans; Tissue Donors
- From:Korean Circulation Journal 2018;48(7):565-590
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Heart transplantation (HTx) has become standard treatment for selected patients with end-stage heart failure. Improvements in immunosuppressant, donor procurement, surgical techniques, and post-HTx care have resulted in a substantial decrease in acute allograft rejection, which had previously significantly limited survival of HTx recipients. However, limitations to long-term allograft survival exist, including rejection, infection, coronary allograft vasculopathy, and malignancy. Careful balance of immunosuppressive therapy and vigilant surveillance for complications can further improve long-term outcomes of HTx recipients.
