A research team led by Professors Jin Oh Choi and Da Rae Kim of the Department of Cardiology and Professor Yang Hyun Cho of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at Samsung Medical Center’s Advanced Heart Failure Team reported that survival rates vary depending on the pre-transplant treatment methods. This study was published in the latest issue of The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation (IF: 6), a leading journal in the field of heart transplantation.
The research team analyzed 1,021 heart transplant recipients treated between 2014 and 2023. Patients supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) prior to transplantation had the highest post-transplant mortality rate (17.9%), whereas those supported with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or without mechanical circulatory support had significantly lower mortality rates (4.4% each). One-year post-transplant survival rates differed across groups, at 77.5% in the ECMO group, 89.0% in the LVAD group, and 92.5% in the non–mechanical support group.
The research team explained, “Although ECMO is essential for lifesaving in emergency situations, proceeding directly to transplantation before systemic organ function has sufficiently recovered may increase the risk of early mortality and postoperative complications.” They added, “In contrast, LVAD support allows transplantation to be performed after overall clinical stabilization, which may improve post-transplant survival.” They also stated, “Samsung Medical Center operates an integrated heart failure treatment system that closely coordinates ECMO, artificial heart support, and heart transplantation.” They added, “Based on these findings, we aim to contribute to the development of a personalized heart transplantation strategy tailored to each patient’s characteristics.”