Spanish Heart Transplantation Registry. 27th Official Report of the Spanish Society of Cardiology Working Group on Heart Failure and Heart Transplantation (1984-2015)

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: The present article reports the characteristics and results of heart transplants in Spain since this therapeutic modality was first used in May 1984.

Methods: We describe the main features of recipients, donors, surgical procedures, and results of all heart transplants performed in Spain until December 31, 2015.

Results: A total of 299 cardiac transplants were performed in 2015, with the whole series comprising 7588 procedures. The main transplant features in 2015 were similar to those observed in recent years. A remarkably high percentage of transplants were performed under emergency conditions and there was widespread use of circulatory assist devices, particularly continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices prior to transplant (16% of all transplants). Survival has significantly improved in the last decade compared with previous time periods.

Conclusions: During the last few years, between 250 and 300 heart transplants have consistently been performed each year in Spain. Despite a more complex clinical context, survival has increased in recent years.

Keywords: Heart transplantation; Registro; Registry; Supervivencia; Survival; Trasplante cardiaco.