A longitudinal perspective on neurodevelopmental outcome after infant cardiac transplantation

BACKGROUND

With improvement in medical outcomes, the current research has shifted toward understanding and enhancing the quality of life after pediatric heart transplantation. Previous research has indicated that infant heart transplant recipients are generally at risk for neurodevelopmental delays; however, no longitudinal studies exploring the patterns of development within this medical population have been performed.

METHODS

Using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II, 39 children (2 to 38 months of age) who underwent heart transplantation in infancy (<1 year) at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital were assessed consecutively over time.

RESULTS

Mean Mental Development Index (MDI) scores for all age groups were within normal limits, except for the age ranges of 18 to 23 and 24 to 35 months, which were mildly delayed. Average Psychomoter Development Index (PDI) scores for all age groups reflected mildly delayed performance, except for the 36- to 38-month age group, which was within normal limits. Repeated measures analyses of variance on a sub-set of participants with at least 4 consecutive assessments revealed within-subject effects on MDI scores (F = 5.7, p < 0.01), but not on PDI scores (F = 1.6, p = 0.22). Significant decreases in MDI scores at 18 and 28 to 36 months were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Motor development in this population was consistently mildly delayed. Age-dependent variability in cognitive skills was apparent. The delays appeared due to speech/language acquisition (18 months), and abstract reasoning/goal-directed behaviors (28 to 36 months). Possible etiologies for cognitive delays include test artifacts, auditory functioning and effects of immunosuppressive agents. Understanding risk factors in this patient population will allow for early and effective intervention.

Morbidities in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome

We sought to document morbidities and growth for patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) to inform the initial surgical decision and understand healthcare needs. Data were obtained on 137 patients with HLHS, born between 1989 and 1994, who survived staged surgery ( n = 62) or transplantation ( n = 75) and had follow-up information available from four pediatric cardiac surgical centers. In patients with HLHS older than 1 year of age at follow-up, 93% experienced at least one major postsurgical morbidity. Morbidities depended on the surgery received. Hypertension, renal compromise, and abnormal infections were more common in transplanted patients than staged surgery patients. Staged surgery patients used more anticongestive medications and experienced more morbidities requiring interventional catheterization than did transplanted patients. Rejection was common for transplanted patients. On average these children spent 23 days per year in the hospital. Patients with HLHS were small for their age; 43% of staged surgery patients weighed below the third percentile at last information, compared to 19% of transplanted patients ( p = 0.003). The median height percentile was the 10th in both groups. Normal activity level was reported in more transplanted patients (90%) than staged surgery patients (49%; p < 0.001). Trade-offs between mortality and morbidity outcomes can help inform the initial surgical decision.

Neurodevelopmental outcome of solid organ transplantation in children

The literature regarding organ transplantation has emphasized graft survival in the arena of organ transplantation for life-threatening disease. The concept of "if you can't get it to work .... replace it" has been successful in the adult transplant population and has found its way into the pediatric population. With the improvement in patient and graft survival rates and management of complications, the questions multiply concerning quality-of-life issues. Neurodevelopmental outcome is emerging as one of the focal points for parents, physicians, and education specialists as they request information regarding early intervention and therapies for this growing population of children from the successful era of organ transplantation.

Pediatric post-transplant diabetes: data from a large cohort of pediatric heart-transplant recipients

A retrospective analysis of 381 pediatric heart-transplant recipients was performed to determine the frequency, characteristics, and risk factors for post-transplant diabetes. The rate of post-transplant diabetes was 1.8% with antithymocyte globulin, cyclosporine and azathioprine as primary immunosuppressive therapy. Time from transplant to diabetes was 0.25-13 years. Diabetes was characterized by reversibility, and lack of insulinopenia and autoimmunity. The post-transplant diabetes rate in tacrolimus-converted children (n = 45) was 8.8%. In tacrolimus-converted children, age at transplant, mean and maximum tacrolimus blood levels, and first-year rejection episodes were higher in the post-transplant diabetes group, which also consistently had DR-mismatched transplants and HLA DR3/DR4 haplotypes. Body mass index was not different between diabetic and control tacrolimus-converted children. In conclusion, pediatric post-transplant diabetes may be related to reversible insulin resistance. Tacrolimus levels, HLA DR mismatch, and older age at transplant may predispose to post-transplant diabetes.

Post-transplant seizures in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Seizures are common in infants undergoing cardiac transplant and are usually attributed to a non-specific "post-pump" phenomenon. In this study, we determined which variables were associated with the occurrence of post-transplant seizures in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and the need for continued treatment with antiepileptic medication. Of 127 infants studied over an 11-year period, 27 (21%), ages 9 to 90 days, had post-transplant seizures. These patients were compared to 27 age-matched transplanted infants without seizures. We compared multiple variables before, during, and after transplant including growth parameters, time of diagnosis, cyclosporine levels, maternal variables, circulatory and bypass parameters, laboratory data, neuroimaging and electroencephalographic studies, neurologic examination findings, and peri-operative complications. Post-transplant seizures were associated with total cardiopulmonary bypass time and the presence of post-transplant complications. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest time was inversely correlated with seizure severity. Pre-transplant electroencephalographic abnormalities and total bypass time were associated with seizures requiring continued use of antiepileptic therapy. Post-transplant electroencephalograms were not associated with the need for continued treatment. Identification of variables associated with the development of post-transplant seizures is essential for early intervention to reduce long-term morbidity and mortality. Future studies to reduce risk of post-transplant seizures are warranted.

Moderate acute rejection detected during annual catheterization in pediatric heart transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Acute rejection commonly occurs within the first year after heart transplantation, and then decreases in frequency with time. Recently, the long-term utility of endomyocardial biopsy during routine annual catheterization has been questioned. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review the prevalence of biopsy-proven rejection during routine annual catheterization in our patient population, determine whether biopsies late after transplant are useful, and identify factors that correlate with late unsuspected rejection.

METHODS

Biopsy results from the annual catheterization were evaluated from 1986 to August 2000. The prevalence of moderate rejection was evaluated and compared with the patient's immunosuppressive regimen; the prevalence of late rejection; and how late rejection correlated with recipient age, number of first-year rejections and presence of sub-therapeutic cyclosporine.

RESULTS

A total of 1108 biopsies were performed in 269 children with a mean follow-up of 5 +/- 3 years (median 5 years, range 1 to 11 years). Three-drug immunosuppressive therapy, including steroids, was used in 93 patients. There was a persistent 8% to 10% prevalence of moderate rejection at up to 10 years post-transplantation. Moderate rejection was more likely in patients: (1). on 3-drug immunosuppressive therapy; (2). with a recipient age >1 year; and (3). with a relatively lower cyclosporine level.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that continued surveillance of pediatric transplant patients for acute rejection is indicated for long-term follow-up.

Total lymphoid irradiation for refractory rejection in pediatric heart transplantation

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the role of total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) in the management of refractory rejection among pediatric heart transplant patients.

METHODS

Eleven of 298 patients underwent TLI at 6 to 195 months of age and were divided into subgroups: those who survived (group A, n = 7) and those who did not survive beyond 1 year after TLI (group D, n = 4). Non-TLI recipient data were considered as the controls.

RESULTS

Six out of 11 patients died eventually (54%). TLI was initiated 3 to 107 months after transplantation with a dosage of 600 to 840 cGy. The pre-TLI rejection rate (0.62 +/- 0.40 per month) was higher (p < 0.0001); however, the post-TLI rejection rate (0.24 +/- 0.65 per month) showed no significant difference from the control rejection rate. The Cox proportional hazard model found significance for TLI as a risk factor for development of posttransplant coronary artery disease (relative risk, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.1 to 21.3) and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (relative risk, 47.9; 95% CI, 1.6 to 1,475.3), respectively. Although the rejection rate decreased after TLI in both groups (group A pre/post, 0.51 +/- 0.31/0.06 +/- 0.08 per month; group D pre/post, 0.82 +/- 0.49/0.57 +/- 1.09 per month), significance was obtained only in group A (p = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

TLI was an effective adjunct for reversal of refractory rejection in pediatric heart transplantation by reducing the rejection rate. Great care must be taken for the risk of development of coronary artery disease or lymphoproliferative disease.

Usefulness of cardiac transplantation in children with visceral heterotaxy (asplenic and polysplenic syndromes and single right-sided spleen with levocardia) and comparison of results with cardiac transplantation in children with dilated cardiomyopathy

Surgical mortality is high in children with visceral heterotaxy (VH), particularly if atrioventricular valve insufficiency, ventricular dysfunction, or aortic atresia is present. This study reviews the outcome of cardiac transplantation (CT) in infants and children with VH and congenital heart disease who are at high risk for standard palliative or corrective surgery. We reviewed CT outcomes in 29 children with VH, congenital heart disease, atrioventricular valve insufficiency, ventricular dysfunction, and/or aortic atresia. Median age at CT was 3.1 years. Cardiac surgery had been performed in 20 patients (69%) before CT. Follow-up since CT has been 8.5 +/- 2.2 years. Outcomes were compared with 45 children who underwent transplantation for dilated cardiomyopathy. Actuarial graft survival in the VH group at 30 days and 1, 5, and 10 years was 100%, 86%, 68%, and 50%, respectively, compared with 100%, 96%, 83%, and 68% in children who underwent transplantation for dilated cardiomyopathy (p = 0.12). Splenic status, cardiac position, age at CT, number of prior cardiac surgeries, or systemic venous anomalies were not predictors of mortality after CT. Cardiopulmonary bypass and graft ischemic times were longer in the VH group; time on the ventilator after CT, length of hospitalization, and rejection, infection, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, and transplant coronary artery disease rates were equal. Thus, CT is a viable alternative therapy for high-risk patients with VH, possibly offering improved survival over standard surgical management.

A comparison of treatment strategies for hypoplastic left heart syndrome using decision analysis

OBJECTIVES

We sought to identify the optimal treatment strategy for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).

BACKGROUND

Surgical treatment of HLHS involves either transplantation (Tx) or staged palliation of the native heart. Identifying the best treatment for HLHS requires integrating individual patient risk factors and center-specific data.

METHODS

Decision analysis is a modeling technique used to compare six strategies: staged surgery; Tx; stage 1 surgery as an interim to Tx; and listing for transplant for one, two, or three months before performing staged surgery if a donor is unavailable. Probabilities were derived from current literature and a dataset of 231 patients with HLHS born between 1989 and 1994. The goal was to maximize first-year survival.

RESULTS

If a donor is available within one month, Tx is the optimal choice, given baseline probabilities; if no donor is found by the end of one month, stage 1 surgery should be performed. When survival and organ donation probabilities were varied, staged surgery was the optimal choice for centers with organ donation rates < 10% in three months and with stage 1 mortality <20%. Waiting one month on the transplant list optimized survival when the three-month organ donation rate was > or =30%. Performing stage 1 surgery before listing, or performing stage 1 surgery after an unsuccessful two- or three-month wait for transplant, were almost never optimal choices.

CONCLUSIONS

The best strategy for centers that treat patients with HLHS should be guided by local organ availability, stage 1 surgical mortality and patient risk factors.

Association of viral genome with graft loss in children after cardiac transplantation

BACKGROUND

The survival of recipients of cardiac allografts is limited by rejection, lymphoproliferative disease, and coronary vasculopathy. The purpose of this study in children who had received heart transplants was to evaluate the cardiac allografts for myocardial viral infections and to determine whether the presence of viral genome in the myocardium correlates with rejection, coronary vasculopathy, or graft loss.

METHODS

We enrolled heart-transplant recipients 1 day to 18 years old who were undergoing evaluation for possible rejection and coronary vasculopathy. Endomyocardial-biopsy specimens were evaluated for evidence of rejection with the use of standard criteria and were analyzed for the presence of virus by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS

PCR analyses were performed on 553 consecutive biopsy samples from 149 transplant recipients. Viral genome was amplified from 48 samples (8.7 percent) from 34 patients (23 percent); adenovirus was found in 30 samples, enterovirus in 9 samples, parvovirus in 5 samples, cytomegalovirus in 2 samples, herpes simplex virus in 1 sample, and Epstein-Barr virus in 1 sample. In 29 of the 34 patients with positive results on PCR (85 percent), an adverse cardiac event occurred within three months after the positive biopsy, and 9 of the 34 patients had graft loss due to coronary vasculopathy, chronic graft failure, or acute rejection. In 39 of the 115 patients with negative results on PCR (34 percent), an adverse cardiac event occurred within three months of the negative PCR finding; graft loss did not occur in any of the patients in this group. The odds of graft loss were 6.5 times as great among those with positive results on PCR (P=0.006). The detection of adenovirus was associated with considerably reduced graft survival (P=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Identification of viral genome, particularly adenovirus, in the myocardium of pediatric transplant recipients is predictive of adverse clinical events, including coronary vasculopathy and graft loss.

Pediatric cardiac retransplantation: intermediate-term results

BACKGROUND

Cardiac retransplantation (re-CTx) in children is a controversial therapy, yet it remains the best treatment option to recipients with failing grafts. Our objective was to determine the incidence of re-CTx in a large pediatric population of recipients and evaluate the outcome of such therapy.

METHODS

Between November 1985 and November 1999, 347 children underwent cardiac transplantation at the Loma Linda University Medical Center. Of these, 32 children were listed for re-CTx. Ten patients died while waiting, and 22 recipients underwent re-CTx. Median age at re-CTx was 7.1 years (range, 52 days to 20.1 years).

RESULTS

Indications for re-CTx were allograft vasculopathy (n = 16), primary graft failure (n = 5), and acute rejection (n = 1). Two patients with primary graft failure underwent retransplantation within 24 hours of the first transplantation procedure while on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. Median time interval to re-CTx for the others was 7.2 years (range, 32 days to 9.4 years). Operative mortality for all cardiac re-CTx procedures was 13.6%. Causes of hospital mortality were pulmonary hypertension with graft failure (n = 2) and multiorgan failure (n = 1). Median hospital stay after re-CTx was 14.1 days (range, 6 to 45 days). There was one late death from severe rejection. Actuarial survival at 3 years for re-CTx was 81.9% +/- 8.9% compared with 77.3% +/- 2.6% for primary cardiac transplantation recipients (p = 0.70).

CONCLUSIONS

Elective re-CTx can be performed with acceptable mortality. Although the number of patients undergoing retransplantation in this report is small and their long-term outcome is unknown, the intermediate-term survival after re-CTx is similar to that of children undergoing primary cardiac transplantation.

Late rejection is a predictor of transplant coronary artery disease in children

OBJECTIVE

The study objectives were to determine posttransplant coronary artery disease (TxCAD) incidence, predisposing factors and optimal timing for retransplantation (re-Tx) in pediatric heart transplantation (Tx) recipients.

BACKGROUND

The TxCAD limits long-term survival following heart Tx, with re-Tx being the primary therapy. Information on risk factors and timing of listing for re-Tx is limited in children.

METHODS

The records of children who survived >1 year post-Tx at Loma Linda University were reviewed. Nonimmune and immune risk factors were analyzed.

RESULTS

TxCAD was documented in 24 of 210 children. Freedom from TxCAD was 92 +/- 2% and 75 +/- 5% at 5 and 10 years' post-Tx, respectively. The TxCAD diagnosis was established at autopsy in 10 asymptomatic patients who died suddenly within nine months following the most recent negative angiograms. The remaining 14 children had angiographic diagnoses of TxCAD and had symptoms and/or graft dysfunction (n = 10) or positive stress studies (n = 4). Three of 14 died within three months after the diagnosis was made. Eleven patients underwent re-Tx within seven months of diagnosis; nine survived. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that only late rejection (>1 year posttransplant) frequency (p = 0.025) and severity (hemodynamically compromising) (p < 0.01) were independent predictors of TxCAD development. Freedom from TxCAD after severe late rejection was 78 +/- 8% one year postevent and 55 +/- 10% by two years.

CONCLUSIONS

Late rejection is an independent predictor of TxCAD. Patients suffering severe late rejection develop angiographically apparent TxCAD rapidly and must be monitored aggressively. Both TxCAD mortality and morbidity occur early; therefore, we recommend immediate listing for re-Tx upon diagnosis.

Survival analysis and risk factors for mortality in transplantation and staged surgery for hypoplastic left heart syndrome

OBJECTIVES

We compared survival in treatment strategies and determined risk factors for one-year mortality for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) using intention-to-treat analysis.

BACKGROUND

Staged revision of the native heart and transplantation as treatments for HLHS have been compared in treatment-received analyses, which can bias results.

METHODS

Data on 231 infants with HLHS, born between 1989 and 1994 and intended for surgery, were collected from four pediatric cardiac surgical centers. Status at last contact for survival analysis and mortality at one year for risk factor analysis were the outcome measures.

RESULTS

Survival curves showed improved survival for patients intended for transplantation over patients intended for staged surgery. One-year survival was 61% for transplantation and 42% for staged surgery (p < 0.01); five-year survival was 55% and 38%, respectively (p < 0.01). Survival curves adjusted for preoperative differences were also significantly different (p < 0.001). Waiting-list mortality accounted for 63% of first-year deaths in the transplantation group. Mortality with stage 1 surgery accounted for 86% of that strategy's first-year mortality. Birth weight <3 kg (odds ratio [OR] 2.4), highest creatinine > or =2 mg/dL (OR 4.7), restrictive atrial septal defect (OR 2.7) and, in staged surgery, atresia of one (OR 4.2) or both (OR 11.0) left-sided valves produced a higher risk for one-year mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Transplantation produced significantly higher survival at all ages up to seven years. Patients with atresia of one or both valves do poorly in staged surgery and have significantly higher survival with transplantation. This information may be useful in directing patients to the better strategy for them.

The medium-term findings in coronary arteries by intravascular ultrasound in infants and children after heart transplantation

OBJECTIVES

The study purposes were to determine 1) whether intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was more sensitive than angiography for the detection of post-transplant coronary artery disease (PTCAD) in pediatric patients; and 2) whether those transplanted as neonates reacted differently than older patients.

BACKGROUND

Experience with IVUS for the diagnosis of PTCAD in children is limited.

METHODS

Patients were divided into two groups: those transplanted as neonates (early group) and those transplanted in infancy or childhood (late group). Morphometric analysis was performed, including maximal intimal thickness (MIT) and intimal index (II). Stanford classification was used to grade lesion severity. Acute rejection and cytomegalovirus (CMV) status were correlated with MIT and II.

RESULTS

Thirty children were studied (early group, n = 13; late group, n = 17). All segments studied were angiographically normal. Mean MIT and mean II were significantly greater in the late group (0.26 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.13 +/- 0.04 mm, p < 0.001 and 0.11 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.07 +/- 0.03 mm, p = 0.04, respectively). There was a significant correlation between MIT and II in those who had acute rejection in the late group. Patients in the late group who were CMV-positive had a significantly higher MIT compared with those in the late group with negative serology (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Intravascular ultrasound was more sensitive than angiography in detecting PTCAD after pediatric heart transplantation. There is a possible role for acute rejection and CMV in the development of PTCAD.

Developmental outcomes and cognitive functioning in infant and child heart transplant recipients

Pediatric heart transplantation has become a mainstay in the treatment of end-stage heart disease in infants and children. There is, however, sparse information on post-transplant developmental and cognitive functioning. At Loma Linda University Children's Hospital 223 infants have undergone heart transplantation surgery with a survival rate of 73% (n=165). This article reports on four areas of investigation of this cohort of infants. Infant development: Two studies were done utilizing the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (mean 100, S.D.+/-15). The first study (n=48) showed mean values within the normal range [Mental Development Index (MDI) 87; Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI) 90]. The second study (n=23) showed developmental scores within normal limits in 4-8 month olds with a tendency for decline in development at 12-24 months (MDI 83, PDI 77). Child development: Ninty-one infant recipients were greater than 5 years old. Forty-five children were excluded because of long distances from the hospital, second transplantation, abnormal karyotype, primary language non-English, or invalid testing. The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised testing of 5-6-year-olds (n=23) showed a Full Scale IQ of 74, Performance IQ of 76, and Verbal IQ of 77. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III testing of 7-10-year-olds (n=23) showed a Full Scale IQ of 86, Performance IQ of 89, and Verbal IQ of 86. The Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (mean 100, S.D.+/-15) yielded a Total Composite of 91, Mathematics Composite of 86, Language Composite of 98, and a Reading Composite of 94. Visual spatial skills: Visual motor integration (mean 100, S.D.+/-15) was evaluated in 5-10-year-olds with a mean of 87; however, 52% of the children had scores below 1 S.D. Subtests from the Wechsler scales that assess visual motor and visual spatial skills indicated significant deficits. Behavior: Younger children (n=33) demonstrated behaviors indicative of social isolation. Older children (n=36) showed behavior that was within the normal limits, but depression was noted in a significant number of them. Conclusions: Infant heart transplant recipients demonstrate IQ and achievement levels within the normal range, but there is a significant amount of variability with more children than would be expected scoring in the lower ranges. Children with heart transplantation are at risk for visual spatial skill deficits. Young children are at risk for social isolation while symptoms of depression are noted in older children.

Outcome of infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who undergo atrial septostomy before heart transplantation

This study evaluated the procedural and long-term outcome of infants who underwent atrial septostomy while awaiting transplant. The results suggest that septostomy improved outcome in these patients although infants needing a transseptal perforation were at higher risk.

Rare combined heart and kidney transplant in a pediatric patient: a case study

Multiple reports of successful combined heart and kidney transplants adults suggest that this may be a viable option for a small subset of patients with coexisting end-stage heart and kidney failure. A review of the literature, however, reveals that few combined heart and kidney transplants have been reported in children. This article presents the case of a 13-year-old boy who underwent unsuccessful palliative surgery for a congenital heart defect. The patient developed heart failure with subsequent acute renal failure, and ultimately required a combined heart and kidney transplant. The combined procedure was successful in this patient and he is alive and well 27 months postoperatively.

Heart transplantation among 233 infants during the first six months of life: the Loma Linda experience. Loma Linda Pediatric Heart TransplantGroup

Two hundred thirty-three heart transplantations were performed in infants during their first 6 months of life at Loma Linda University between November, 1985 and June, 1999. Survival has now exceeded 13 years. Nearly 70% of infants are expected to live at least 10 years. Those transplanted during the first 30 days of life have about a 15% survival advantage at 10 years. Scarcity of donors continues to limit the transplantation effort. While acute rejection is the most common cause of late mortality, posttransplant coronary artery disease (PTCAD) is the leading cause of graft loss affecting 22 recipients (9.5%). The majority of patients are asymptomatic prior to diagnosis of PTCAD and are either retransplanted or dead within 6 months. Retransplantation (9 of 11 retransplantations for PTCAD) has been highly successful, with 10 year actuarial survival of 91%. Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) has been found in only 7 patients (3%), most commonly in lymph nodes. Causes of late mortality include acute rejection (n = 16), PTCAD (n = 9), infection (n = 7), PTLD (n = 2), chronic graft dysfunction (n = 2), arrhythmia (n = 1), recurrent pulmonary vein stenosis (n = 1), and other noncardiac causes (n = 4). Infant psychomotor development is mildly delayed although cognitive development is normal. School-age children are performing at the level of their peers with average achievement and low average intelligence testing. Heart transplantation is durable therapy for newborns and infants with structurally incurable and end-stage myopathic heart disease.

Cardiac retransplantation for graft vasculopathy in children: should we continue to do it?

BACKGROUND

Cardiac transplantation (CTx) has been established as an effective therapy for a variety of inoperable cardiac conditions in infants and children. However, graft vasculopathy (GV) has emerged as the main limiting factor to long-term survival of CTx recipients. The only treatment of severe GV is cardiac retransplantation (re-Tx). Controversy exists regarding the use of scarce donor organs for cardiac re-Tx.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the outcome of cardiac re-Tx for GV with that of primary CTx in children.

DESIGN

A 12-year retrospective cohort review.

SETTING

A university-affiliated children's hospital.

PATIENTS

All infants and children who underwent CTx (group 1, n = 322) had complete follow-up of 1389.7 patient-years. Graft vasculopathy was confirmed in 32 recipients (1.1-8.2 years after undergoing CTx). Thirteen patients died suddenly, 3 died waiting for cardiac re-Tx (1-17 days after relisting), 4 are pending cardiac re-Tx, and 12 (group 2) underwent cardiac re-Tx.

INTERVENTION

Cardiac re-Tx at a mean (+/- SD) interval from the first CTx of 6.3 +/- 1.8 years (range, 2.2-9.4 years). Two patients required additional aortic arch aneurysm repair with cardiac re-Tx.

RESULTS

When group 1 was compared with group 2, there was no significant difference in operative mortality (9.0% vs 8.3%; P = .9), rejection rate (0.98 vs 0.86; P = .1), and hospital stay (23.0 +/- 18.8 days vs 20.5 +/- 11.6 days; P = .65). Actuarial survival for groups 1 and 2 at 1 and 4 years was 84.3% vs 83.3% (P = .59) and 74.4% vs 83.3% (P = .85), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The surgical outcome and intermediate survival of cardiac re-Tx for GV and primary CTx are similar. Children with severe cardiac GV are at risk of sudden death and can benefit from early cardiac re-Tx.

Posttransplant recoarctation of the aorta: a twelve year experience

OBJECTIVES

This study was undertaken to investigate the incidence of posttransplant recoarctation of the aorta, delineate the mode of presentation, identify risk factors that predict recoarctation and examine the results of intervention for posttransplant recoarctation.

BACKGROUND

Patients with aortic arch hypoplasia require extended arch reconstruction at transplant, with an inherent possibility of subsequent recoarctation of the aorta.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of all children (age <18 years) who underwent cardiac transplantation over a 10-year period. Collected data included pretransplant diagnosis, details of the transplant procedure and posttransplant data including development of recoarctation of the aorta, interventions for recoarctation and the most recent follow-up assessment of the aortic arch.

RESULTS

Two hundred eighty-eight transplants were performed on 279 children (follow-up = 1,075 patient-years; range 0 to 133 months, median 43.7). Thirty-two of 152 patients (21%) who underwent extended aortic arch reconstruction subsequently developed recoarctation. All but one patient developed recoarctation within 2 years after transplant; 87% were hypertensive at presentation. Of 30 patients who underwent intervention for recoarctation (balloon angioplasty [n = 26] and surgical repair of recoarctation [n = 4]), 26 (87%) have remained recurrence-free (follow-up = 133 patient-years; range 8 to 106 months, median 47).

CONCLUSIONS

The high frequency of recoarctation after cardiac transplantation with extended aortic arch reconstruction mandates serial echocardiographic evaluation of the aortic arch. Patients typically present with systemic hypertension within the first two years after transplantation. Balloon angioplasty is a safe, effective and durable method of treatment.

Dobutamine stress echocardiography for assessing coronary artery disease after transplantation in children

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility, safety and diagnostic accuracy of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) for evaluating posttransplant coronary artery disease (TxCAD) in children, and to determine the frequency of selected cardiac events after normal or abnormal DSE.

BACKGROUND

Posttransplant coronary artery disease is the most common cause of graft loss (late death or retransplantation) after cardiac transplantation (CTx) in children. Coronary angiography, routinely performed to screen for TxCAD, is an invasive procedure with limited sensitivity. The efficacy of DSE for detecting atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is established, but is unknown in children after CTx.

METHODS

Of the 78 children (median age 5.7 years, range 3 to 18) entered into the study, 72 (92%) underwent diagnostic DSE by means of a standard protocol, 4.6 +/- 1.9 years after CTx. The results of coronary angiography performed in 70 patients were compared with DSE findings. After DSE, subjects were monitored for TxCAD-related cardiac events, including death, retransplantation and new angiographic diagnosis of TxCAD.

RESULTS

No major complications occurred. Minor complications, most often hypertension, occurred in 11% of the 72 subjects. The sensitivity and specificity of DSE were 72% and 80%, respectively, when compared with coronary angiography. At follow-up (21 +/- 8 months), TxCAD-related cardiac events occurred in 2 of 50 children (4%) with negative DSE, versus 6 of 22 children (27%) with positive DSE (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

DSE is a feasible, safe and accurate screening method for TxCAD in children. Positive DSE identifies patients at increased risk of TxCAD-related cardiac events. Negative DSE predicts short-term freedom from such events.

Limitations to survival for infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome before and after transplant: the Loma Linda experience

Untreated, hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a lethal cardiac defect. Heart transplant has become an accepted therapeutic option for this condition. However, significant limitations to survival remain for infants with this condition who are referred for heart transplantation. Attention to the prevention, early detection, and management of common problems occurring at each stage of the transplantation process is important for improving survival rates. This study retrospectively reviewed the cases of 195 infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome registered for heart transplantation at Loma Linda University Medical Center between November 1985 and July 1996 to determine causes of death. During the waiting period, progressive cardiac failure and complications from interventional procedures were the leading causes. In the early postoperative period, technical issues and acute graft failure were most important, whereas late deaths (more than 30 days after transplant) were most often related to rejection and posttransplant coronary artery disease.

Association of parvovirus B19 genome in children with myocarditis and cardiac allograft rejection: diagnosis using the polymerase chain reaction

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory diseases of the heart, including myocarditis and cardiac transplant rejection, are important causes of morbidity and mortality in children. Although viral infection may be suspected in either of these clinical conditions, the definitive etiology is often difficult to ascertain. Furthermore, the histology is identical for both disorders. Coxsackievirus has long been considered the most common cause of viral myocarditis; however, we previously demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis that many different, and sometimes unexpected, viruses may be responsible for myocarditis and cardiac rejection. In this study, we describe the association of parvovirus genome identified through PCR analysis of cardiac tissue in the clinical setting of myocarditis and cardiac allograft rejection.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Myocardial tissue from endomyocardial biopsy, explant, or autopsy was analyzed for parvovirus B19 using primers designed to amplify a 699-base pair PCR product from the VP1 gene region. Samples tested included those obtained from patients with suspected myocarditis (n=360) or transplant rejection (n=200) or control subjects (n=250). Parvoviral genome was identified through PCR in 9 patients (3 myocarditis; 6 transplant) and no control patients. Of the 3 patients with myocarditis, 1 presented with cardiac arrest leading to death, 1 developed dilated cardiomyopathy, and the other gradually improved. Four of the 6 transplant patients had evidence of significant rejection on the basis of endomyocardial biopsy histology. All transplant patients survived the infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Parvovirus is associated with myocarditis in a small percentage of children and may be a potential contributor to cardiac transplant rejection. PCR may provide a rapid and sensitive method of diagnosis.