The Influence of HLA Compatibility on Graft Survival after Heart Transplantation

Abstract

In cardiac transplantation, it is standard practice for donor hearts to be allocated to recipients without consideration of the extent of HLA matching. Because the HLA system is highly polymorphic, the likelihood that donor hearts will be well matched to their recipients by chance alone is extremely small. It has therefore not been possible in the past to analyze adequately the success rate of transplantation with HLA-matched hearts.