Impact of pulmonary vascular resistances in heart transplantation for congenital heart disease

Avihu Z. Gazit, Charles E. Canter

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Congenital heart disease is one of the major diagnoses in pediatric heart transplantation recipients of all age groups. Assessment of pulmonary vascular resistance in these patients prior to transplantation is crucial to determine their candidacy, however, it is frequently inaccurate because of their abnormal anatomy and physiology. This problem places them at significant risk for pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure post transplantation. The pathophysiology of pulmonary vascular disease in children with congenital heart disease depends on their pulmonary blood flow patterns, systemic ventricle function, as well as semilunar valves and atrioventricular valves structure and function. In our review we analyze the pathophysiology of pulmonary vascular disease in children with congenital heart disease and end-stage heart failure, and outline the state of the art pre-transplantation medical and surgical management to achieve reverse remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature by using pulmonary vasodilators and mechanical circulatory support.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)59-66
Number of pages8
JournalCurrent Cardiology Reviews
Volume7
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2011

Keywords

  • Congenital heart disease
  • Heart transplantation
  • Pulmonary vascular resistance

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