ABSTRACT
The first human heart transplant was performed in 1967 but the procedure did not gain widespread acceptance until the 1980s, when the advent of more effective immunosuppression (cyclosporin) and improvements in surgical technique led to a marked improvement in graft and patient survival. Cardiac transplantation now plays a significant role in the management of patients with advanced cardiac failure. However, as donor availability is very limited, potential recipients must be carefully selected. This chapter describes the role of haemodynamic assessment in patient management before transplantation, and in surveillance post-operatively for transplant coronary disease.
