Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk of accepting cardiac donors after an episode of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Materials and methods: Since 1997, 13 resuscitated donor hearts (10 M, 3 F, age 15-54 years) after sudden cardiac arrest have been transplanted. The retrospective analysis was used.
Results: Allografts after resuscitation episode were implanted in 13 patients (6 M, 7 F, age 31-65 years). 11 patients were on the urgency list and two of them required periodically intravenous inotropic therapy. Two patients (P.A, B.J) died in the first 24 hours after procedure (cause of death: pulmonary embolism, extensive cardiac ischemia). During follow up (6-48 months, avg. 25.1 +/- 15.9 months) none of the 11 patients died. All patients are NYHA functional class I or I/II. Total time of cardiopulmonary resuscitation did not influence the time of reperfusion (p > 0.05). Analysis of cardiac index Cl (l/min/m2) at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 72 hours after heart transplantation showed correct values during following days. Echocardiographic and invasive examinations (8 patients) do not show any abnormalities.
Conclusion: These results suggest that acceptance of cardiac donors after cardiopulmonary resuscitation may not increase the risk of heart transplantation.