Heart Transplantation in Man

HEART TRANSPLANTATION has interested many investigators.1-5Studies of related problems were begun in our laboratory in 1956. Webb and his associates studied such factors as practical methods for homologous cardiac transplantation,6cardiopulmonary transplantation,7-8restoration of function of the refrigerated heart,9and cardiac metabolism as influenced by ischemia and refrigeration.10The operative mortality was high, but extended survival of some dogs with orthotopic homotransplants was achieved. Collateral studies were conducted by other members of the department.11-14Thus, in the spring of 1963, Webb and the senior author (J.D.H. ) considered that the laboratory and clinical heart work justified a planned approach directed toward eventual heart transplantation in man. This objective, a natural outgrowth of transplantation research, was cleared with the administrative officials of the University Medical Center. It remained for us to evaluate further the methods available for preservation of the heart during its transplantation. While