Heart Transplantation from Donors with Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: Clinical Outcomes and Early Experience from a Single Center

TL;DR

This study shows that hearts from donors who recovered from Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can be safely transplanted, with good outcomes for recipients.

Contribution

Demonstrates the safety and viability of using hearts from recovered Takotsubo cardiomyopathy donors for transplantation.

Findings

All transplanted patients survived at 12 months with normalized left ventricular function.

Myocardial deformation and right ventricular function improved significantly over time.

Donor hearts with resolved Takotsubo cardiomyopathy did not compromise transplant outcomes.

Abstract

Background: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) has been historically considered a contraindication for heart donation due to its transient left ventricular dysfunction. However, emerging evidence supports that hearts from donors with fully recovered Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy can be safely transplanted. Methods: This case series describes seven heart transplantations performed between January 2022 and September 2025 using donors with previously diagnosed Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Donor characteristics, intraoperative data, echocardiography data and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Results: The mean donor age was 33.5 years (range 18–58), with a male-to-female ratio of 6:1. All donors exhibited echocardiographic evidence of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy at the time of brain death, with full or partial recovery before procurement. Coronary angiography excluded obstructive coronary disease. Echocardiographic follow-up demonstrated the mean LVEF increased to 52 ± 6%, reaching 58 ± 4% at 12 months, global longitudinal strain (GLS) improved progressively (from −14.2 ± 2.8% to −18.5 ± 1.9%), confirming normalization of myocardial deformation and the right ventricular function, assessed by TAPSE, rose from 15 ± 3 mm at discharge to 20 ± 2 mm at 12 months. All patients transplanted with donors who had Takotsubo cardiomyopathy are alive at the 12-month follow-up. Conclusions: Hearts from donors with resolved Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy can be safely used for transplantation without compromising early- or mid-term outcomes. Expanding donor eligibility criteria to include selected TTC donors may contribute to mitigating organ shortages in advanced heart failure patients.

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