Semilunar valve growth and function 10 years after infant heart transplantation: Predicting long-term outcomes of partial heart transplants

IntroductionPartial heart transplants are a new type of pediatric transplant that replace defective heart valves with the parts of matched donor hearts containing the necessary valves. Short-term outcomes of partial heart transplants are excellent, but long-term outcomes are unknown. In order to predict the long-term outcomes of partial heart transplants, we evaluated long-term growth and function of semilunar heart valves transplanted in infancy as part of a heart transplant. MethodsAll children who underwent infant heart transplantation at a single center from 1997 to 2014 were included in this study. Children in whom echocardiograms after heart transplantation and after 10 years were not available for review were excluded. The echocardiograms were reviewed by two authors to analyze semilunar valve annulus diameters, Z-scores, peak valve gradients, and valve regurgitation. Statistical difference was determined using two-tailed, paired sample t-tests with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. ResultsData from 15 patients were analyzed. The aortic valve annulus averaged 1.3 cm (range 0.7-1.8 cm) immediately after transplantation and grew to an average of 1.7 cm (range 1.4-2.3 cm) after 10 years (p < .001). After 10 years, the aortic valve peak gradient avereraged 5.1 mmHg (range 2.1-15.5 mmHg) and none of the valves had more than trivial regurgitation. The pulmonary valve annulus averaged 1.5 cm (range 1.1-2.5 cm) immediately after transplantation and grew to an average of 2.1 cm (range 1.0-2.9 cm) after 10 years (p < .001). After 10 years, the pulmonary valve peak gradient averaged 4.3 mmHg (range 1.1-13.8 mmHg), and 7% of valves had moderate regurgitation. DiscussionSemilunar heart valves transplanted in infancy as part of a heart transplant demonstrate statistically significant growth and excellent function after 10 years. This predicts excellent long-term outcomes of partial heart transplants.