The relative size of a donor's heart can have a negative impact on a heart transplant recipient.
Parameters:
(1) predicted heart mass for recipient grams
(2) predicted heart mass for donor in grams
(3) sex of the donor
(4) sex of the recipient
percent difference between the donor and recipient predicted heart weights =
= ((predicted heart mass for the recipient) - (predicted heart mass for the donor)) / (predicted heart mass for the recipient) * 100%
A sex mismatch is when the donor and recipient have different sexes.
Interpretation:
• A heart rate mismatch with the donor heart more than 10-15% below that of the recipient is associated with a markedly increased risk of mortality.
• Survival differences in patients with a sex mismatch is largely attributable to differences in heart mass. A woman who receives a male heart be at increased risk for rejection.
• An undersized heart may undergo hypertrophy after the transplant.
• The risk of acute rejection in the first year after transplant is lower in an oversized donor heart.
• The risk of acute rejection in the first year after transplant is higher in an undersized donor heart.
