Cardiac transplantation: a review.

Cardiac transplantation is no longer an experimental procedure, but rather a definitive therapeutic option for patients with end-stage cardiac failure. The current 5-year and 10-year survival rates following cardiac transplantation are 67% and 52%, respectively. Rejection and infection still result in significant morbidity and mortality, and the development of graft coronary occlusive disease limits even longer-term survival. This review summarises donor and recipient selection criteria, the operative procedure, the current immunosuppressive protocols, as well as newer immunosuppressive agents and the complications of cardiac transplantation, namely infection, rejection, nephrotoxicity and graft coronary occlusive disease.