PMID: 2487628Jan 1, 1989Paper

Heart transplantation in Berlin

Clinical Transplants
R HetzerU Süthoff

Abstract

Since July 1983, our group experience with heart transplantation as a routine procedure now includes 346 patients. Predominant diagnosis was dilated cardiomyopathy (64%). The age range was 3 months to 68 years (mean 44.3 years). Immunosuppression has followed several evolving protocols and now emphasizes preoperative administration of cyclosporine A and quadruple immunosuppression with additional azathioprine, cortisone medication, and early postoperative cytolytic prophylaxis with rabbit ATG. We have accepted donor organs up to 55 years without coronary angiography and with very satisfying functional and late results. The diagnosis of rejection by endomyocardial biopsy has been supplemented by routine use of telemetric intramyocardial electrogram monitoring and M-mode echocardiography. Routine use of these methods has distinctly increased diagnostic safety. Eleven children between the ages of 3 months and 18 years have been transplanted with a 72% overall survival rate. Four children younger than age 8 have been followed with noninvasive methods for rejection diagnosis exclusively. A bridge to transplantation program was initiated in July 1987; 31 patients were bridged, 18 of whom could be transplanted. Thirteen patients were ...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle, that can lead to muscular or electrical dysfunction of the heart. It is often an irreversible disease that is associated with a poor prognosis. There are different causes and classifications of cardiomyopathies. Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to this disease.

Artificial Heart & Ventricular Assist Devices

Total artificial hearts (TAH) and ventricular assist devices (VADs) provide cardiac support for patients with end-stage heart disease and have significantly improved the survival of these patients. Discover the latest research on Artificial Heart and Ventricular Assist Devices here.

Related Papers

Zeitschrift für Kardiologie
S SchülerR Hetzer
Zeitschrift für Kardiologie
R HetzerH G Borst
The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation : the Official Publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
C E CanterT L Spray
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved