A review of experience with cardiac transplantation.

Despite the hazards of rejection and the complications of immunosuppression, cardiac transplantation is the only available treatment for myocardial disease that is refractory to medical therapy and in which no other form of surgery can be offered. There are disadvantages to orthotopic cardiac transplantation, which have led to the development by this department of the heterotopic cardiac transplant, which functions as a natural left-heart and right-heart assist device. The results of 19 cases are presented.