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Review
. 2025 Oct;120(4):620-630.
doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2025.01.037. Epub 2025 Mar 17.

Indications and Practical Considerations for Partial Heart Transplantation

Taufiek Konrad Rajab  1 , David M Kalfa  2 , Carlos M Mery  3 , Sitaram M Emani  4 , Brian L Reemtsen  5
Affiliations
Review

Indications and Practical Considerations for Partial Heart Transplantation

Taufiek Konrad Rajab et al. Ann Thorac Surg. 2025 Oct.

Abstract

Partial heart transplantation is a new approach to deliver growing heart valve substitutes for children. The rationale for partial heart transplantation is that the valves contained in heart transplants grow. Partial heart transplants differ from heart transplants because only the part of the heart containing the necessary valve is transplanted, while the native ventricles are preserved. Preserving the native ventricles eliminates the risk of graft ventricular dysfunction and allows for utilization of donor hearts with ventricular dysfunction. Here we outline practical considerations for partial heart transplantation, including indications, sources for donor hearts, graft procurement, graft preservation, implantation, recipient immunosuppression, and reimbursement. This invited expert review is intended to help clinical teams implement partial heart transplantation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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