Cardiac allograft valvulopathy: A case of donor-anorexigen-induced valvular disease

We report on the transplantation of a cardiac allograft from a donor with p rolonged exposure to anorexigens. This event allowed us to not only examine the early pathological alterations that characterize anorexigen-induced va lvular damage, but to also study the posttransplantation outcome after the donor heart had been removed from the offending milieu. A donor history of anorexigen use should be sought, and if detected, careful evaluation for un derlying valvular disease should be entertained. Early valvulopathy may app ear clinically mild yet pathologically significant. Our single-case experie nce also suggests that anorexigen-induced valvulopathy may be a progressive disorder despite removal of the heart from the causative environment. (C) 1999 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.