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Review
. 2023 Nov 27;18(1):342.
doi: 10.1186/s13019-023-02461-5.

Heart transplantation surgery in children and young adults with congenital heart disease

Sabrina Martens  1 , Hongtao Tie  1 , Hans Gerd Kehl  2 , Tonny Dt Tjan  1 , Hans Heinrich Scheld  1 , Sven Martens  1 , Andreas Hoffmeier  3
Affiliations
Review

Heart transplantation surgery in children and young adults with congenital heart disease

Sabrina Martens et al. J Cardiothorac Surg. .

Abstract

Background: Pediatric cardiac transplantation remains a surgical challenge as a variety of cardiac and vessel malformation are present in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Despite limited availability and acceptability of donor hearts, the number of heart transplantations remains on a stable level with improved survival and quality of life.

Observation: As treatment options for CHD continue to improve and the chances of survival increase, more adult CHD patients are listed for transplantation. This review focuses on the clinical challenges and modified techniques of pediatric heart transplantations.

Conclusion: Not only knowledge of the exact anatomy, but above all careful planning, interdisciplinary cooperation and surgical experience are prerequisites for surgical success.

Keywords: Congenital Heart Disease; Heart transplantation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
(a) Heart-lung machine connection for HLHS; (b) Anastomosis in heart transplantation for HLHS.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
(a) Fontan circulation; (b) Situs after explantation; (c) Anastomoses for Fontan circulation
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
CT scan illustrating massive ascites due to enteropathy protein loss in a patient with Fontan circulation
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
(a) Recipient situs in Marfan syndrome; (b) Situs after explantation; (c) Anastomoses for Marfan syndrome
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
(a) Heart-lung machine connection for situs inversus and resection of left SVC; (b) Reconstruction of system venous drainage; (c) Anastomoses for situs inversus
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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