Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the heart transplant candidate with acute cholecystitis.

We report the first successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy for treatment of acute cholecystitis in a heart transplant candidate with end-stage heart disease. Eight successful cases of conventional cholecystectomy in heart transplant candidates have been reported, but convalescence after the conventional procedure is prolonged, and morbidity often interferes with a timely heart transplantation. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a less-invasive method for treatment of symptomatic cholelithiasis and cholecystitis and may be better tolerated in this patient population. Although further study is needed, we believe laparoscopic cholecystectomy will have applications in patients with end-stage heart disease.