[Surgical and perioperative problems of heart transplantation].

Orthotopic heart transplantation is an established treatment for terminal cardiac diseases. Close cooperation and coordination with other clinics and laboratories is mandatory to transplant a good organ with minimal ischemic time. Accurate donor evaluation and treatment is essential for fast recovery after operation. Our series is 79 orthotopic heart transplantations form 9/85 to 10/89 in 78 patients. Average ischemic time is 38 minutes in organ procurement from table to table and rises distinctly in distal heart procurement (n = 33), but is usually under 120 minutes at organ procurement from any place in Switzerland. The transplantation is performed in the technique from Lower and Shumway. Immunosuppression with triple therapy (Cyclosporin A, Azathioprim, Prednisone) and initial cytolytic therapy is well tolerated. Consequent diagnosis and treatment for rejection and infections lead to good short and medium term survival. Prophylactic treatment is indicated in high risk constellation for cytomegalovirus and toxoplasmosis infection. Early mortality (less than 30 days) was two out of seven and caused by bacterial infections. Actuarial survival is 91% at one and two years and 85% at three years with good quality of life and NYHA class I.