Heart Transplant
Sizing App

Size matching is an important consideration in heart transplantation. It is important to avoid implanting an under-sized heart. Size matching has historically been performed using donor and recipient weight.

Equations derived from cardiac MRI studies allow prediction of an individual’s heart mass using gender, age, height and weight. Potential donor-recipient pairs may be accurately size-matched using these equations. This allows identification of donor-recipient pairs who may be at higher risk of primary graft dysfunction or post-operative mortality.

This app allows heart transplant surgeons and physicians to quickly and easily calculate the mis-match percentage in a potential donor-recipient pair and inform decisions about whether a particular donor organ is adequately sized for a particular recipient.

Background

Predicted total heart mass is the sum of predicted LV and RV mass, using equations derived from cardiac MRI assessment of subjects enrolled in Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). This study recruited white, African-American, Hispanic and Chinese individuals between 45-84 years old and free of clinically apparent cardiovascular disease. The number of individuals who contributed to the study were 4968 (LV mass) and 4123 (RV mass).

Predicted LV mass (g) =
a x height0.54(m) x weight0.61(kg)
a = 6.82 for women and 8.25 for men

Predicted RV mass (g) =
a x age-0.32(years) x height1.125(m) x weight0.315(kg)
a = 10.59 for women and 11.25 for men

References
Kawut SM et al. Circulation 2011;123:2542-2551.
Bluemke DA et al. J Am Coll Cardiol 2008;52:2148-2155.

Terms & Conditions

This app is designed for use by clinicians to promote research into heart transplant size-matching. Information provided on this app should not be considered as medical advice.

The researchers & developers accept no responsibility whatsoever for any consequences resulting from the use of this app as part of a medical care programme.

Privacy Policy

This application does not collect or store personal information, cookies, device data, or the values entered whilst in use.
If you have any questions or comments about the application or its privacy policy, please email Dr Stephen Pettit, Consultant Cardiologist at stephen.pettit@nhs.net
or by post to:

Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Trust
Papworth Road
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge
CB2 0AY