Evolution of heart transplantation since Barnard’s first

Abstract

Barnard’s first human heart transplantation in 1967 has paved the channel to numerous extensive researches and clinical experiences, mostly from the Stanford group, on orchestrating criteria for donor and recipient selection, immunosuppression, distant heart procurement, re-transplantation, and further global performance of the procedure until it became the gold standard therapy for end-stage heart failure, even in the face of an utterly limited organ availability. Much has happened since Barnard’s first. There has been a rapid rise to 4,000–5,000 transplants per year. Previously, the number of transplants depended on the capacity of the units. Later on, it depended largely on the availability of donor organs. The widening of indications and reduction of contraindications to heart transplantations to include elderly patients >70 years, systemic diseases such as amyloidosis, has emerged. Indeed, heart transplantation has come a long way, and is considered a fruitful and stimulating episode in modern medicine. It is rather deplorable to watch that in the beginning of 1990s, the yearly number of heart transplantations began to decline—not because the operation had proved unsuccessful, but because donor hearts became scarce. It is rather poignant that although science and technology as well as increased experience accumulated over a long time have paved the way to make such an operation possible, its applicability is limited by lack of public awareness or its unwillingness to agree to organ donation. The average transplant survival is now over 10 years. Its prevalence and success, however, belies the fact that over 52 years ago, no one had ever attempted the procedure in man and that the procedure seemed destined for ignominy and failure just a year after the first transplant. Had it not been for the work of a few scientists and physicians, each who stepped on the broad shoulders of those who had come previously, the history of heart transplantation would be nothing more than a few legends and myths in dusty tomes.