REVIEWS  HEART FAILURE 

Minerva Cardioangiologica 2003 April;51(2):245-56

Copyright © 2003 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Heart transplantation. An update and review

Johnson F. L.

Since the 1st heart transplant was performed over 30 y ago, recipients have benefited from dramatic improvements in survival and quality of life following the procedure. Approximately 3 500 people worldwide now undergo heart transplantation each year. The vast majority of patients will have no limitations in their daily activities and will remain free of re-hospitalization after the 1st year. The median survival following heart transplant is now 9 y, and it remains the treatment of choice for children and adults with end-stage heart disease despite emerging therapies. This article will review patient selection, perioperative management issues, medical management of recipients, and future trends in the treatment of this patient population.