A 6-year experience of heart transplantation in Federal Almazov North-West Medical Research Centre
Aim. To estimate the results of 6-year experience of heart transplantation (HT) in Federal Almazov North-West Medical Research Centre. Methods. From 2010 to 2015 we have performed 65 HT. Mean age was 44.3 ± 14 years old (from 10 to 64 years old). We used biventricular assist device (BIVAD, Berlin Heart Excor) support in 7 heart transplant candidates before HT. 19 patients (29%) received thymoglobulin, whereas 46 patients (71%) had basiliximab to induce immunosuppression. Results. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machines were implanted in 5 patients (7.7%) after HT due to acute right ventricular failure. Suture annuloplasty (the Batista procedure) for tricuspid valve repair was carried out in 3 cases (4.6%). Venovenous hemodiafiltration was used in 11 patients (16.9%). A total of 598 endomyocardial biopsies (EMB) were performed after HT. Evidence of cellular rejection (R1 and R2) was presented in 286 biopsies (48%). The 30-day in-hospital mortality rate was 3.1%. The 6-month survival rate after HT was 92%, 1-year - 91% and overall survival for the 6-year period of observation - 89.2%. Maximum observation period was 71 months. Conclusions. The 6-year experience of HT in our Center has shown a high level of survival. BIVAD Excor support can be effectively used as a «bridge» to HT. Prevention of graft loss due to acute rejection in heart transplant recipients can be achieved only through regular EMB monitoring. The rate of viral infection increased in 2 months after HT.