Partial heart transplant , a surgical approach using living valves from donor hearts, may offer a promising option for children with congenital heart valve disease by enabling growth and improving outcomes in otherwise irreparable valvular conditions. To evaluate this potential, a study investigated the feasibility, safety, and early efficacy of partial heart transplant in 19 children with various heart conditions, with a median age of 97 days at the time of transplant. Over a median follow-up of 26 weeks, partial heart transplant in children with congenital heart valve disease demonstrated good valve function and growth.
Annular diameter increased from medians of 7 mm (aortic valve) and 9 mm (pulmonary valve) to 14 mm and 17 mm, respectively, while leaflet length increased from medians of 0.5 mm (aortic valve) and 0.49 mm (pulmonary valve) to 1 mm and 0.675 mm, respectively. One…
