Method of heart transplantation for treatment of hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Technical details of investigational orthotopic cardiac transplantation for management of hypoplastic left heart syndrome in a neonate are presented. Extracorporeal perfusion technique and need for extensive aortic arch reconstruction are emphasized. Although this experience was with a subhuman primate (baboon) donor, source of donor graft makes little difference with regards to the unique technical aspects of cardiac transplantation in a ductus-dependent newborn infant with a diminutive aortic arch.