Ae. Fiane et al., PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL ANGIOPLASTY AND RETRANSPLANTATION DUE TO TRANSPLANT CORONARY-ARTERY DISEASE, SC CARDIOVA, 31(4), 1997, pp. 223-227
Allograft vascular disease is a significant cause of death of cardiac
transplant recipients after the first year of transplantation. With fe
w exceptions, angina pectoris does not develop and objective examinati
ons, including coronary angiography, are necessary to diagnose coronar
y arteriopathy. Between 1983 and 1994, 214 heart transplantations in 2
11 patients were performed in our unit. All survivors had coronary ang
iography performed yearly. Thirty patients had significant localized a
rterial stenoses. Twelve patients with critical stenosis were accepted
for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Five patients und
erwent retransplantation due to progressive graft vascular disease wit
h development of congestive heart failure. Conventional revascularizat
ion with transluminal coronary angioplasty can safely be performed wit
h primary good results. In selected patients, retransplantation is an
option if patients otherwise fulfil standard criteria for cardiac tran
splantation.