[Case report of one pediatric patient surviving 6 years after heart transplantation in the U.K]

In October 1988, a six year old Japanese girl with restrictive cardiomyopathy underwent heart transplantation (HTx) at Harefield Hospital in the U.K. Six years 9 months after her HTx, she is doing well and is the longest survivor among the Japanese HTx recipients. Cardiac catheterization 5 years after her HTx showed good cardiac function with LVEF of 54.7%. Coronary angiogram at that time showed no abnormal findings. Cardiac biopsy revealed no sign of rejection or myocyte degeneration. LVDd (Left Ventricular Diastolic Dimension) grew from 35.5 mm at the time of transplant to 42.6 mm 5 years later by echocardiogram, suggesting the growth of the transplanted heart. Her good progress, including catch-up growth and good QOL, reflects the excellent benefit of HTx today. The authors deeply appreciate the courtesy of Harefield Hospital in accepting to perform her HTx.