REVERSIBLE GRAFT DYSFUNCTION AFTER CARDIA C TRANSPLANTATION

The authors report 3 cases of major graft dysfunction after cardiac tr ansplantation which recovered completely with biventricular mechanical assistance in 4 to 8 days. All three cases were primary biventricular graft failures in patients with normal preoperative pulmonary resista nces. These early dysfunctions (with no signs of myocardial infarction on electro-or echocardiography and in the absence of abnormal increas ed peri-operative enzyme levels) associated with total functional reco very conforming to the definition of the phenomenon of myocardial stun ning. These results argue in favour of aggressive management of primar y graft dysfunction.