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Sisson TM, Hill KD, Wolf SE, Turek JW, Overbey DM, Shea EV. Partial heart transplantation: Current applications and management. World J Transl Med 2026; 12(4): 124968 [DOI: 10.5528/wjtm.124968]
World J Transl Med. Nov 28, 2026; 12(4): 124968 Published online Nov 28, 2026. doi: 10.5528/wjtm.124968
Partial heart transplantation: Current applications and management
Thomas Miller Sisson, Kevin Dennis Hill, Seth EM Wolf, Joseph W Turek, Douglas M Overbey, Erin V Shea
Thomas Miller Sisson, Kevin Dennis Hill, Erin V Shea, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States
Seth EM Wolf, Joseph W Turek, Douglas M Overbey, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27510, United States
Co-first authors: Thomas Miller Sisson and Kevin Dennis Hill.
Author contributions: Sisson TM and Hill KD drafted the manuscript and contributed equally to its development; Sisson TM, Hill KD, and Shea EV reviewed and analyzed the literature; Sisson TM created original figures and tables; Hill KD, Wolf SEM, Turek JW, Overbey DM, and Shea EV revised and critically appraised the manuscript; and all authors approved the final version to be published and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
AI contribution statement: The authors take full responsibility and accountability for all content of this manuscript. No AI tools were used in the development of this manuscript or its constituent parts.
Supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, No. T32HL176430.
Conflict-of-interest statement: Joseph W Turek is an equity stakeholder in Surge Ingenuity, Inc. The other authors do not have any conflicts of interest to disclose.
Corresponding author: Kevin Dennis Hill, MD, MSCI, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 3090, Durham, NC 27710, United States. kevin.hill@duke.edu
Received: June 29, 2026 Revised: September 2, 2026 Accepted: October 10, 2026 Published online: November 28, 2026 Processing time: 130 Days and 12.3 Hours
Abstract
Partial heart transplantation (PHT) represents a novel surgical strategy that leverages donor cardiac tissue to address complex congenital and acquired valvar lesions while preserving growth capacity. This narrative review describes the conceptual framework and technical considerations of PHT and reports short-term outcomes across a spectrum of applications based on small observational cohorts and case reports. Early clinical results, predominantly from a single institution, demonstrate favorable valve function, promising growth, and few complications. We outline key elements of pre-transplant evaluation, donor selection, and surgical technique, and discuss post-transplant outcomes, immunosuppression management, long-term potential, and unresolved aspects of immunosuppression and long-term outcomes to inform best practices and guide broader adoption of this emerging therapy.
Core Tip: Partial heart transplantation is a promising surgical innovation to treat pediatric heart valve dysfunction. The short-term outcomes are encouraging, demonstrating valvular growth and function with low rate of complications.
