PEDIATRIC HEART-TRANSPLANTATION

Studies from a number of centers have documented the growth and succes s of pediatric heart transplantation. The 1st year of life is the peri od of greatest mortality from congenital heart disease and has now bec ome the single most frequent age of pediatric heart transplantation. A ppropriately, congenital heart disease is the most common diagnosis le ading to heart transplantation. Early mortality is still greatest in r ecipients who undergo transplantation during the Ist year of life. The patients at greatest risk are being identified and new maneuvers to l ower early mortality are emerging. Long-term follow-up continues to in dicate excellent late survival with low morbidity. This review focuses on key advances in knowledge reported in the last year.