Heart Transplant Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Heart Transplant, including details on risks, prognosis, procedure, surgery, organ donation.

A history of orthotopic heart transplantation.

Meine TJ, Russell SD

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27715, USA. meine001@mc.duke.edu

Orthotopic human heart transplantation today is performed at more than 150 U.S. centers, and the average survival is more than 10 years. Its prevalence and success, however, belies the fact that just 40 years ago, no one had ever attempted the procedure in humans and that the procedure seemed destined for failure just a year after the first transplant. This article reviews the history of orthotopic heart transplantation, beginning with ancient Greek legends and culminating in modern successes.

Published 13 June 2005 in Cardiol Rev, 13(4): 190-6.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Heart Transplant Research Today. All Rights Reserved.