Cardiac transplantation.

Abstract

Beginning with experimental studies in 1905, cardiac transplantation has progressed, with notable advancements in 1967 to 1968, to be a proven therapeutic modality for patients with end-stage heart disease. The Texas Heart Institute, one of the major heart transplant clinics in the world, re-established its heart transplant program in 1981 using the immunosuppressant cyclosporine. Since then (as of July 17, 1985), 74 transplant operations have been performed there with particular care to the details of donor selection, patient management, surgical procedure, and postoperative care.