Survival Analysis in Adult Heart Transplantation: Experience from a Brazilian Single Center

ABSTRACT

Introduction:  Heart transplantation is the gold standard for advanced heart failure treatment. This study examines the survival rates and risk factors for early mortality in adult heart transplant recipients at a Brazilian center.

Methods:  This retrospective cohort study involved 255 adult heart transplant patients from a single center in Brazil. Data were collected from medical records and databases including three defined periods (2012-2015, 2016-2019, and 2020-2022). Statistical analysis employed Kaplan-Meier survival curves, Cox proportional hazards analysis for 30-day mortality risk factors, and Log-rank tests.

Results:  The recipients were mostly male (74.9%), and the mean age was 46.6 years. Main causes of heart failure were idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (33.9%), Chagas cardiomyopathy (18%), and ischemic cardiomyopathy (14.3%). The study revealed an overall survival of 68.1% at one year, 58% at five years, and 40.8% at 10 years after heart transplantation. Survivalimproved significantly over time, combining the most recent periods (2016 to 2022) it was 73.2% in the first year and 63% in five years. The main risk factors for 30-day mortality were longer time on cardiopulmonary bypass, the initial period of transplants (2012 to 2015), older age of the donor, and nutritional status of the donor (overweight or obese). The main causes of death within 30 days post-transplant were infection and primary graft dysfunction.

Conclusion:  The survival analysis by period demonstrated that the increased surgical volume, coupled with the team’s experience and modifications to the immunosuppression protocol, contributed to the improved early and mid-term outcomes.

Keywords: Survival Rate; Chagas Cardiomyopathy; Overweight; Dilated Cardiomyopathy; Cardiopulmonar Bypass; Caude of Death; Heart Transplantation; Risk Factors