Health characteristics of heart transplant recipients surviving into their 80s

• Published in: The Journal of surgical research 2017-08, Vol.216, p.99-102
• Main Authors: Tabachnick, Deborah R., MD, Bowen, Megan E., MD, Stehlik, Josef, MD, MPH, Kfoury, Abdallah G., MD, Caine, William T., MD, Selzman, Craig H., MD, McKellar, Stephen H., MD, MSc
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Elderly; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Health Status; Heart failure; Heart Failure - mortality; Heart Failure - surgery; Heart Transplantation; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Octogenarians; Postoperative Complications - epidemiology; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Surgery; Survival Rate; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0022-4804; 1095-8673
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2017.04.021

Abstract Background Heart transplantation (HTx) is the preferred treatment for patients with end-stage heart failure and has been successful for >30 y. The clinical course of recipients at the extreme of age is unknown. We reviewed our experience to determine the overall health and prevalence of Tx-related medical problems for recipients in their ninth decade. Methods We reviewed the UTCP experience from 1985 to present to identify patients who survived into their 80s and matched (1:1) with other recipients for gender and age at HTx, but did not survive to ≥80 y. The end point was the prevalence of medical problems. Results Since 1985, 1129 adult HTx have been performed and 14 patients (1.2%) survived to ≥80 y old. The mean age at HTx was 63 ± 4 y. Of octogenarians, the majority were males with ischemic cardiomyopathy. The average survival after transplant was 19 ± 5 y in the octogenarians and 5 ± 5 y in the controls ( P   55%) for all octogenarians at age 80 y. Conclusions Despite improvements in posttransplant care, survival of HTx patients into the ninth decade is rare (1%). For those surviving into their 80s, cardiac function is preserved but dyslipidemia, renal insufficiency, and skin cancers are common. As the age of Htx patients continues to increase, posttransplant care should be tailored to minimize post-HTx complications and further extend survival.