Trasplante cardiaco: ¿Cuáles estudios garantizan su supervivencia?

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Trasplante cardiaco: ¿Cuáles estudios garantizan su supervivencia?
Alternate Title: Heart Transplant: Which Studies Guarantee Its Survival?
Authors: Marcell Rodríguez, Lelyem1 lelymarcellrod@gmail.com
Source: Revista de la Facultad de Medicina de la UNAM. Mar/Apr2025, Vol. 68 Issue 2, p8-25. 18p.
Subjects: HISTOCOMPATIBILITY testing, MAJOR histocompatibility complex, HEART transplantation, GENE expression profiling, CELL-free DNA, ABO blood group system
Abstract (English): Heart failure is a significant health issue in many countries, and heart transplantation remains the only treatment capable of increasing the life expectancy of affected patients. For the transplanted heart to remain functional, both immunological and non-immunological compatibility must exist between the donor and the cardiac transplant candidate (CTC). This review aims to provide a comprehensive update on histocompatibility studies and post-transplant follow-up. Pre-transplant histocompatibility assessments are limited to ABO blood group compatibility and the detection and characterization of antibodies against major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules (anti-HLA antibodies) in the CTC. Crossmatch testing is typically performed retrospectively due to time and logistical constraints. Because HLA gene compatibility is not considered a criterion for heart allocation --as it is in other types of organ transplantation-- the risk of developing donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSAs) and triggering a cellular immune response leading to rejection is high. This necessitates close post-transplant follow-up. To enable early rejection diagnosis, non-invasive methods are being employed alongside endomyocardial biopsy, which remains the "gold standard". These methods include imaging studies, electrocardiograms, and peripheral blood biomarkers. Among these, established techniques such as antibody detection and characterization coexist with more innovative approaches, including T lymphocyte function assays and genomic medicine (gene expression profiling, donor-derived cell-free DNA, and microRNA detection). Integrating HLA gene compatibility --particularly HLADR-- into histocompatibility testing, alongside non-invasive post-transplant monitoring strategies, will help reduce rejection episodes and improve both graft and recipient survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Abstract (Spanish): La insuficiencia cardiaca es un problema de salud en varios países y el trasplante cardiaco (TC) constituye el único tratamiento capaz de aumentar la expectativa de vida de los pacientes que la presentan. Para que el corazón trasplantado perdure, debe existir compatibilidad tanto inmunológica como no inmunológica entre el donante y el candidato a trasplante cardiaco (CTC). El objetivo de esta revisión es ofrecer una actualización integral sobre los estudios de histocompatibilidad y de seguimiento postrasplante cardiaco. Los estudios de histocompatibilidad previos al TC se limitan a la compatibilidad del grupo sanguíneo ABO y a la detección y caracterización de los anticuerpos dirigidos contra las moléculas del sistema mayor de histocompatibilidad (anticuerpos anti-HLA) en el CTC. La prueba cruzada suele realizarse de manera retrospectiva debido a restricciones de tiempo y logística. Esto demanda un seguimiento postrasplante estrecho, ya que, al no considerarse la compatibilidad de los genes del sistema mayor de histocompatibilidad (HLA) como criterio de asignación del corazón --como sí ocurre en otros tipos de trasplante--, la probabilidad de desarrollar anticuerpos anti-HLA específicos del donante (DSA) y de desencadenar una respuesta inmune celular que provoque rechazo es alta. Para el diagnóstico temprano del rechazo, se están implementando métodos no invasivos sobre la biopsia de endomiocardio, considerada la "prueba de oro". Estos incluyen estudios de imagen, electrocardiogramas y análisis de marcadores en sangre periférica. Entre estos últimos existen estudios conocidos como la detección y caracterización de anticuerpos, y enfoques más recientes, como los ensayos de función de linfocitos T y la medicina genómica (perfiles de expresión génica, ADN libre circulante del donante y detección de microARN). La incorporación de la compatibilidad de los genes HLA --en particular el HLA-DR--como parte de los estudios de histocompatibilidad, junto con la implementación de métodos no invasivos de seguimiento postrasplante, contribuirá a disminuir los episodios de rechazo y a aumentar la supervivencia tanto del receptor como del injerto cardiaco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: MedicLatina
Description
Abstract:Heart failure is a significant health issue in many countries, and heart transplantation remains the only treatment capable of increasing the life expectancy of affected patients. For the transplanted heart to remain functional, both immunological and non-immunological compatibility must exist between the donor and the cardiac transplant candidate (CTC). This review aims to provide a comprehensive update on histocompatibility studies and post-transplant follow-up. Pre-transplant histocompatibility assessments are limited to ABO blood group compatibility and the detection and characterization of antibodies against major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules (anti-HLA antibodies) in the CTC. Crossmatch testing is typically performed retrospectively due to time and logistical constraints. Because HLA gene compatibility is not considered a criterion for heart allocation --as it is in other types of organ transplantation-- the risk of developing donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSAs) and triggering a cellular immune response leading to rejection is high. This necessitates close post-transplant follow-up. To enable early rejection diagnosis, non-invasive methods are being employed alongside endomyocardial biopsy, which remains the "gold standard". These methods include imaging studies, electrocardiograms, and peripheral blood biomarkers. Among these, established techniques such as antibody detection and characterization coexist with more innovative approaches, including T lymphocyte function assays and genomic medicine (gene expression profiling, donor-derived cell-free DNA, and microRNA detection). Integrating HLA gene compatibility --particularly HLADR-- into histocompatibility testing, alongside non-invasive post-transplant monitoring strategies, will help reduce rejection episodes and improve both graft and recipient survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00261742
DOI:10.22201/fm.24484865e.2025.68.2.02