We compared survival in our heart recipients with survival rates reported by the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) Registry. As recipient and donor characteristics are changing over time, we studied four different eras. In order to differentiate between short-and long-term survival, we analyzed both overall survival and survival at one year. Obviously, this exercise is only relevant when baseline donor and recipient characteristics are comparable, as these differences may affect the outcome in opposite directions. To overcome this potential bias as much as possible, we calculated the Index for Mortality Prediction After Cardiac Transplantation (IMPACT)-scores and the Donor Risk Index (DRI). Looking to our results, we found that our DRIs in the different eras are almost equal to those obtained from the United Network for Organ Sharing database in the very same eras. Our IMPACT-scores, on the other hand, seem higher than those reported by ISHLT. Survival after transplantation and conditional on 1-year survival was higher than the outcome reported by the ISHLT Registry. As our operation technique and post-transplant immunosuppressive schedule did not differ from most centers, we speculated on potential factors that might contribute to our positive results. Patient selection and a relatively short waiting time are important contributors to the overall survival benefit. Our centralized follow-up may also have played an important role. Finally, the indefinite compulsory health insurance coverage in our country and easy access to different screening programs might also have influenced our outcome in a positive way. We are well aware that with challenges like donor organ shortage, more and more patients on mechanical circulatory support (MCS) will affect outcomes in the future.Keywords: Heart transplantation; predictors; survival Submitted Sep 11, 2017. Accepted for publication Nov 25, 2017Nov 25, . doi: 10.21037/acs.2017 View this article at: http://dx.doi.org/10. 21037/acs.2017.12.03 Perspective
IntroductionComparing the results of hip surgery performed by one surgeon with the results of his colleague working in the hospital next door, is asking for trouble. Comparing results of one heart transplant center with those of another or, even more challenging, those of a registry, is at least as daunting.Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to critically review one's results and compare them with those of peers. In case they differ manifestly, one has to speculate on why this is the case considering the importance our society currently attributes to cost effectiveness and transparency. Of course, this exercise only makes sense when you are comparing apples with apples. You should first examine that you are transplanting the same types of patients and that you are using the same types of donors.We compared our short-and long-term survival data with those of the ISHLT registry. To do so, we also compared our recipient and donor risk profiles with those of the UNOS database. Finally, we speculated...