Trasplante cardíaco en niños y adolescentes

pp 229-231

Abstract

Six orthotopic heart transplants were performed between September 1984 and march 1989, 4 on males and 2 on females (ages between 8 and 17 years old) (mean age 12.8), The ethiology was dilated cardiomyopathy in 4 patients, congenital cardiopathy in one and family hypercolesterolemia in the last case. All the recipients were in grade IV (NYHA), two of then in the intensive care unit with inotropic support. The ischemic time varied between 105 and 207 minutes (mean of 187 minutes). The surgical technique' employed was orthotopic heart transplantation, in one case atrial septation was performed, in another liver transplant 20 days after cardiac transplant. Triple immuno- suppression protocols were used (cyclosporine, azathioprine and prednisone). In two patients they were associated with prophylactic anti- human thymocyte globulin and in the last two monoclonal antibody (OKT 3), One patient died 72 days after the operation due to sepsis (salmonella enteriditis). All the surviving patients are asymptomatic now, leading a normal life. Results obtained in children are encouraging.