Göran Dellgren1, Andreas Westerlind2, Hans Liden2, Jakob Gäbel2, Sven-Erik Bartfay3, Entela Bollano3, Erik Holmberg4, Bert Andersson3, Henrik Schersten2, Kristjan Karason3. 1. Transplant Institute, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden; Dept Cardiothoracic Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden; Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden. Electronic address: goran.dellgren@vgregion.se. 2. Dept Cardiothoracic Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden. 3. Dept Cardiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden. 4. Dept of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Abstract
AIMS: Heart transplantation (HTx) has become the standard treatment for patients with end-stage heart disease. We report on the long-term outcome after HTx at our centre and investigate trends in outcome over time. METHODS: During the period, between 1984 and 2014, a total of 610 HTx procedures were performed in 595 patients (median 48years; IQR 31-57years; range 24days-71years; mean 43years; 75% male) in our institution. Long-term outcome was investigated in the whole cohort, among children (n=76), bridged with mechanical circulatory support (MCS, n=131), re-transplanted (n=17), and concomitant kidney transplantation (n=12). RESULTS: Long-term survival was at 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20years: 86% (95CI 0.83-0.89); 77% (95CI 0.73-0.80); 63% (95CI 0.59-0.68); 48% (95CI 0.43-0.54) and 30% (95CI 0.25-0.36), respectively. The median survival for the whole cohort was 14.1years. Patients transplanted during the most recent time period (2010-2014) had a better survival compared to previous eras, with a 1- and 3-year survival of 94% (95CI 0.89-0.97) and 93% (95CI 0.88-0.96), respectively (p<0.001). However, when survival was analysed for long-term MCS (n=80) versus short term MCS (n=35), there was a significantly poorer survival for the short-term MCS group (p=0.001). Independent predictors of long-term mortality included recipient age (p=0.041); previous smoking (p=0.034); ischemic heart disease (p=0.002); and preoperative ventilator therapy (p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that continuous improvement in outcome after HTx still occurs. In the last time era, direct transplantation from short-term MCS was abandoned, which may have inflicted outcome during the last time era.
AIMS: Heart transplantation (HTx) has become the standard treatment for patients with end-stage heart disease. We report on the long-term outcome after HTx at our centre and investigate trends in outcome over time. METHODS: During the period, between 1984 and 2014, a total of 610 HTx procedures were performed in 595 patients (median 48years; IQR 31-57years; range 24days-71years; mean 43years; 75% male) in our institution. Long-term outcome was investigated in the whole cohort, among children (n=76), bridged with mechanical circulatory support (MCS, n=131), re-transplanted (n=17), and concomitant kidney transplantation (n=12). RESULTS: Long-term survival was at 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20years: 86% (95CI 0.83-0.89); 77% (95CI 0.73-0.80); 63% (95CI 0.59-0.68); 48% (95CI 0.43-0.54) and 30% (95CI 0.25-0.36), respectively. The median survival for the whole cohort was 14.1years. Patients transplanted during the most recent time period (2010-2014) had a better survival compared to previous eras, with a 1- and 3-year survival of 94% (95CI 0.89-0.97) and 93% (95CI 0.88-0.96), respectively (p<0.001). However, when survival was analysed for long-term MCS (n=80) versus short term MCS (n=35), there was a significantly poorer survival for the short-term MCS group (p=0.001). Independent predictors of long-term mortality included recipient age (p=0.041); previous smoking (p=0.034); ischemic heart disease (p=0.002); and preoperative ventilator therapy (p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that continuous improvement in outcome after HTx still occurs. In the last time era, direct transplantation from short-term MCS was abandoned, which may have inflicted outcome during the last time era.