A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has shown that a partial heart transplant using living valves from donor hearts can be an effective treatment for various types of pediatric heart valve conditions. Conducted by pediatric heart specialists at Duke Health, the research involved 19 children with different heart conditions who received partial transplants between April 2022 and December 2024.
The study found that the valves used in these transplants functioned well across different diagnoses and grew over time, matching the child’s development. The researchers measured valve growth using ultrasound and found no cases requiring reoperation due to valve failure.
One remarkable case saw a child stop taking anti-rejection medication altogether, with the valve continuing to grow and function normally. This finding gives hope that some children may not need lifelong immunosuppression, which can cause serious side effects over time.
The early results of this partial heart transplant approach are encouraging, but more studies are needed to understand its long-term effects. The research was funded by the Brett Boyer Foundation and the Graeme McDaniel Foundation.
Source: https://www.futurity.org/living-heart-valves-multiple-pediatric-conditions-3292152