Fetal tissue typing in anticipation of neonatal heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is among the most common major congenital cardiac anomalies. Fetuses with this anomaly survive but require either reconstructive surgery or heart transplantation postnatally.

CASE: A woman whose fetus was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome underwent funipuncture for fetal tissue typing. The fetus then was listed for heart transplantation. Once an ABO-compatible donor heart was procured, the fetus was delivered and immediately underwent transplantation.

CONCLUSION

In candidates for neonatal heart transplantation, fetal tissue typing allows the search for an ABO-compatible donor heart to begin earlier. This approach minimizes the morbidity associated with postnatal waiting and allows transplantation to take place while the neonate is less immunocompetent.