Original	Thorac cardiovasc Surg 2005; 53: S155-S158 DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-830470
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
Perioperative Management in Pediatric Heart Transplantation
J. Bauer1, J. Thul1, K. Valeske1, M. Müller1, I. Michel-Behnke1, J. Gehron1, D. Schranz1, H. Akintürk1
1 Pediatric Heart Center, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gießen, Germany

Abstract

Peri- and early postoperative mortality significantly influences the probability of survival following heart transplantation in children. Main causes of death early after transplantation are rejection, non specific graft failure and RV failure due to pulmonary hypertension. Optimal therapy of pulmonary hypertension and aggressive use of assist devices as a bridge to recovery will substantially improve survival in the early period after transplantation. Furthermore, the use of marginal donor organs will be more acceptable because transient myocardial insufficiency may recover during extracorporeal life support.

Key words

Heart transplantation - early mortality - pulmonary hypertension - graft failure - assist device