More Kids Could Receive a Heart Procedure Pioneered at Duke Health

The technique was applied to more types of pediatric cases as a life-saving measure

Starting three years ago, a series of 19 children with a variety of heart conditions treated at Duke Health received living heart valve replacements, also known as a partial heart transplant. Now, Duke researchers report in a new study that the kids are all doing well, with no complications.

The valves have all grown with the children and are being integrated into their bodies without rejection. This shows promise for expanding the use of this partial heart transplant technique for different types of heart conditions.

“We’re seeing valves that grow, function well, and require less immunosuppressant medication than a full heart transplant,” said Dr. Joseph Turek, co-author of the study and chief of pediatric cardiac surgery at Duke Health. “That’s a huge win for these kids and their families.”

The research builds on Duke Health’s pioneering work in partial heart transplantation. Duke performed the world’s first partial heart transplant in 2022 and later achieved another milestone with the world’s first living mitral valve replacement.

The researchers will continue monitoring the children in this study and developing this new heart transplantation technique.

For the full press release go to the Duke Health news site.

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