Selected Grantee Publications

Surgical Protocol for Partial Heart Transplantation in Growing Piglets

Medina, World Journal for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery. 2024.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38780414/

Researchers are interested in using partial heart transplantation (i.e., only the part of the heart containing the necessary heart valve is transplanted) to deliver growing heart valve implants. This novel technique allows partial heart transplants to grow, similar to the valves in heart transplants. More work is needed, however, to understand the underlying biological mechanisms of this approach and achieve progress in clinical care. In the present study, the authors present a surgical protocol for partial heart transplantation in growing piglets. This model will enable other researchers to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature of partial heart transplants. Supported by ORIP (U42OD011140) and NHLBI.