| Abstract [eng] |
Introduction: The aim of this study is to review the outcomes of pediatric heart transplantations performed in Lithuania from 2001 to 2025. Material and methods: A retrospective analysis was performed, which included all pediatric patients who underwent cardiac transplantation in Lithuania from May 5th, 2001 to the end of 2025. Factors analyzed included age, gender, reasons for transplantation, organ waiting time, need for mechanical circulatory support before transplantation and mortality. Results: The study sample consisted of 22 patients: 16 (72.7%) boys and 6 (27.3%) girls. Patients were divided into three age groups: infants from birth until 12 months of age (n=6), children aged 1-12 years (n=10) and adolescents aged 13-18 years (n=6). The median age at transplantation was 2.14 years. The median organ waiting time was 242.5 days. 5 (22.7%) patients were kept alive with mechanical circulatory support before heart transplantation. 10 (45.5%) patients underwent heart transplantation for dilated cardiomyopathy, 7 (31.8%) for congenital heart disease that cannot be corrected in any other way, 3 (13.6%) for restrictive cardiomyopathy, 2 (9.1%) for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. No patients required mechanical circulatory support after heart transplantation. 5 patients (22.7%) died during the early postoperative period. 3 more patients died during the late post-transplant period. Early deaths accounted for 62.5% of all deaths, while late deaths accounted for 37.5%. The overall survival rate of the transplanted children was 63.6%. Actuarial survival rates were 73% at 1 year, 68% at 3 years, 59% at 5 years and 36% at 10 years. Conclusion: Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics performs heart transplants in children of all ages. Regardless of age, gender and the need for mechanical circulatory support, the results of heart transplantation in children are good. More than two-thirds of patients survive early period of heart transplantation, with the majority living 5 years or more after heart transplantation. |
