OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of heart donors with echocardiographic abnormalities on short and long-term outcomes on heart transplant recipients. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of heart donors used over 6 y. Donor charts provided demographic information, cause of death, and echo results. Recipient charts were queried for predischarge echo and survival results. RESULTS: From January 1999 to December 2005, 485 heart transplants were performed. Of these, 50 donors had 70 echo abnormalities. Mean donor age was 32 y (range 4-51 y). Echo abnormalities included wall motion abnormality in 30 (60%), left ventricular hypertrophy in 20 (40%), mitral regurgitation in 16 (32%), aortic regurgitation in 2 (4%), and left ventricle dilation in 2 (4%). Mean ejection fraction was 54.0% (range 40%-70%). Echo abnormalities post-transplant decreased significantly to 18 (64% decrease) patients with 21 (70% decrease) echo abnormalities. Wall motion abnormalities resolved in 27 (90% decrease) patients (P < 0.01), left ventricular hypertrophy resolved in 14 (70% decrease) patients (P < 0.01), and mitral regurgitation resolved in 12 (75% decrease) patients (P < 0.01). Aortic regurgitation and left ventricle dilation resolved in 2 patients. However, right ventricle dilation significantly increased in 8 patients (P < 0.01). Mean ejection fraction at discharge was 56.9% (range 45%-89%). Overall survival was 96% at a mean follow-up of 4 y (range 2-6 y). CONCLUSION: Majority of echocardiographic abnormalities in donor hearts resolve prior to discharge and 4 y survival rates are excellent.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of heart donors with echocardiographic abnormalities on short and long-term outcomes on heart transplant recipients. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of heart donors used over 6 y. Donor charts provided demographic information, cause of death, and echo results. Recipient charts were queried for predischarge echo and survival results. RESULTS: From January 1999 to December 2005, 485 heart transplants were performed. Of these, 50 donors had 70 echo abnormalities. Mean donor age was 32 y (range 4-51 y). Echo abnormalities included wall motion abnormality in 30 (60%), left ventricular hypertrophy in 20 (40%), mitral regurgitation in 16 (32%), aortic regurgitation in 2 (4%), and left ventricle dilation in 2 (4%). Mean ejection fraction was 54.0% (range 40%-70%). Echo abnormalities post-transplant decreased significantly to 18 (64% decrease) patients with 21 (70% decrease) echo abnormalities. Wall motion abnormalities resolved in 27 (90% decrease) patients (P < 0.01), left ventricular hypertrophy resolved in 14 (70% decrease) patients (P < 0.01), and mitral regurgitation resolved in 12 (75% decrease) patients (P < 0.01). Aortic regurgitation and left ventricle dilation resolved in 2 patients. However, right ventricle dilation significantly increased in 8 patients (P < 0.01). Mean ejection fraction at discharge was 56.9% (range 45%-89%). Overall survival was 96% at a mean follow-up of 4 y (range 2-6 y). CONCLUSION: Majority of echocardiographic abnormalities in donor hearts resolve prior to discharge and 4 y survival rates are excellent.
Authors: O Wever Pinzon; G Stoddard; S G Drakos; E M Gilbert; J N Nativi; D Budge; F Bader; R Alharethi; B Reid; C H Selzman; M D Everitt; A G Kfoury; J Stehlik Journal: Am J Transplant Date: 2011-09-11 Impact factor: 8.086