Transplante cardíaco e cardiopulmonar: 100 anos de história e 40 de existência

Surgical treatment of heart failure: a hot topic

“…Heart transplantation is still the best option, through providing increased quality of life and longer survival. 14 , 15 This procedure has been presenting results of greater consistency, thanks to improvements and adaptations in recipient selection, donor maintenance, new immunosuppressant drugs, advances in diagnosing rejection and experience of post-transplant management. 9 , 16 Nonetheless, transplantation presents many limitations, including the need for immunosuppressive therapy, high costs, donor shortage, high mortality in the waiting lists and very rigid indication criteria.…”