Outcome of listing for heart transplantation in infants younger than six months: predictors of death and interval to transplantation. The Pediatric Heart Transplantation Study Group.

Abstract

The mortality rate is unacceptably high among infants awaiting transplantation, particularly in patients with HLHS. Infants receiving intravenous inotropes or mechanical support at listing are at high risk of early death while waiting. The distribution of blood group O donors to non-blood group O recipients results in higher mortality rates among blood group O recipients. Greater emphasis should be placed on medical strategies to improve survival while waiting and on expanding existing graft resources.