An analysis of the effect of age on survival after heart transplant

Outcomes in Patients Older Than 60 Years of Age Undergoing Orthotopic Heart Transplantation: An Analysis of the UNOS Database

“…Recipients Ն55 years of age experienced significantly worse 1-and 5-year survival rates, with the majority of early deaths due to significantly higher rates of severe infections among older patients. 5 More recent series, however, have refuted their conclusions, demonstrating acceptable outcomes in patients Ͼ60 years of age. Demers and colleagues examined 81 patients between 60 and 70 years of age who underwent OHT at their institution with up to 10 years of follow-up and found survival rates comparable to those of younger patients (50% vs 51%).…”

“…As reported previously, it is probable that these sequelae (particularly infection) may contribute to the significantly lower 30-day and 1-year survival associated with advanced age. 5 Interestingly, older patients underwent fewer treatments for rejection within the first year after transplantation. 8,11 This is consistent with what has been reported previously.…”

“…The literature examining this issue has been mixed, with some series reporting worse outcomes among elderly patients [2][3][4][5] and others reporting equivalent rates of mortality, rejection and transplant coronary artery disease. 6 -9 Examination of age has extended to patients as old as 70 years of age, showing that OHT can be performed safely in selected candidates.…”

Older patients (age 65+) report better quality of life, psychological adjustment, and adherence than younger patients 5 years after heart transplant: A multisite study

“…Similarly, several studies also indicate that older adults have higher infection rates, malignancy rates, and need for renal dialysis after HT. 6,7 Despite the consistent findings that have been reported, some mitigating factors need to be considered when examining older age as a risk factor: First, older adult HT recipients achieve outcomes that are considered acceptable and only modestly different from younger adults in short-term and long-term survival. In a recent study examining 14,401 patients in the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) database, survival rates for older patients (age Ն 60) and younger patients was 93% vs 94% at 30 days, 84% vs 87% at 1 year and 69% vs 75% at 5 years.…”

Advanced Heart Failure Treatment Options Among the Elderly

“…It had been accepted that advanced age adversely affects long-term survival rates in HT recipients. [11][12][13][14][15] However, approximately 1%-3% of all transplants are still performed in patients at least 70 years old, and several case series have demonstrated similar intermediate outcomes (at 1 and 3 years) between older (age > 70) and younger HT recipients. These patients are obviously highly selected and account for less than 5% of the total cohorts evaluated.…”