Background: Simultaneous heart kidney transplantation (SHKT) is an acceptable treatment for patients with end stage heart disease associated with severely impaired kidney function.
Methods: We reviewed medical record of our registered patients from September 1990 and July 2017. 5 patients underwent SHKT in our center. All the patients were treated with basiliximab induction and maintained with tacrolimus, steroid and mycophenolate.
Results: 4 patients were male (80.0%). Mean age at transplant was 49.6 ± 12.4 years (range, 33~66). All patients were on dialysis at transplant. The indications for heart transplantation included dilated cardiomyopathy (n=4), ischemic cardiomyopathy (n=1). Surgical procedures were uneventful in all patients. Median follow-up after transplantation was 53 months (range, 5~152). 2 patients had delayed graft function (DGF) after transplant (defined as the need for dialysis during the first 7 days after transplant). 1 patient had coronary artery disease, but no cardiac allograft rejection was noted. Acute cellular kidney rejection occurred in 2 patients. There was no cardiac or kidney graft failure during follow-up.
Conclusion: SHKT is a good choice for long-term survival in patients with end stage heart and kidney failure.