Survival after partial heart transplantation in a piglet model

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 12318 - 7
• Main Authors: Medina, Cathlyn K, Moya-Mendez, Mary E, Aykut, Berk, Jeffs, Sydney, Kang, Lillian, Evans, Amy, Parker, Lauren E, Miller, Stephen G, Helke, Kristi L, Overbey, Douglas M, Turek, Joseph W, Rajab, Taufiek Konrad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Nature Publishing Group 29.05.2024; Nature Publishing Group UK; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: Anesthesia; Animals; Congenital cardiac surgery; Congenital heart disease; Disease Models, Animal; Echocardiography; Heart transplant; Heart transplantation; Heart Transplantation - adverse effects; Heart Transplantation - methods; Heart transplants; Models, Animal; Pulmonary valve; Pulmonary Valve - surgery; Survival; Swine; Therapeutic applications; Transplantation; Congenital heart disease; Heart transplant; Congenital cardiac surgery; Pulmonary valve
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63072-1

Partial heart transplantation (PHT) is a novel surgical approach that involves transplantation of only the part of the heart containing a valve. The rationale for this approach is to deliver growing heart valve implants that reduce the need for future re-operations in children. However, prior to clinical application of this approach, it was important to assess it in a preclinical model. To investigate PHT short-term outcomes and safety, we performed PHT in a piglet model. Yorkshire piglets (n = 14) were used for PHT of the pulmonary valve. Donor and recipient pairs were matched based on blood types. The piglets underwent PHT at an average age of 44 days (range 34-53). Post-operatively, the piglets were monitored for a period of two months. Of the 7 recipient piglets, one mortality occurred secondary to anesthesia complications while undergoing a routine echocardiogram on post-operative day 19. All piglets had appropriate weight gain and laboratory findings throughout the post-operative period indicating a general state of good health and rehabilitation after undergoing PHT. We conclude that PHT has good short-term survival in the swine model. PHT appears to be safe for clinical application.