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Pediatric Heart Transplantation |
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The heart transplantation program at the Medical College of Virginia is the longest continuous running transplant program on the East coast of the United States and the second oldest program in the United States behind Stanford. The first heart transplant procedure performed at MCV was in 1968. Pediatric and adolescent heart transplantation has been ongoing since the 1980's. Neonatal transplantation has been actively performed at MCV for the last 7 years. The results achieved and quality of life demonstrated by our patients is comparable to the results obtained nationally in other high quality pediatric centers. The vast majority of our patients are weaned off steroid therapy within the first six months after transplant and are maintained on dual drug immunosuppression. The follow up of the patient is performed as an outpatient with echocardiography and outpatient myocardial biopsies as well as laboratory testing. We take an active role in preventing graft coronary atherosclerosis (the final obstacle to long-term graft survival) by using medications prophylactically to maintain normal coronary artery function, to prevent high cholesterol levels, and we actively investigate the coronary arteries themselves using state of the art intravascular ultrasound techniques. With a dedicated transplant team of cardiologists, nursing coordinators, social workers, psychologists, and other staff who are committed to the patients and their families, we maintain the highest level of excellence for this special group of pediatric patients.
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Contact
Richard P. Embrey,
M.D. for questions |
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