The potential contribution of cardiac replacement to the control of cardiovascular diseases. A population-based estimate
T. E. Kottke, D. G. Pesch, R. L. Frye, D. C. McGoon, C. A. Warnes and L. T. Kurland
Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, Minn.
The potential number of individuals who might benefit from a cardiac
replacement procedure (either cardiac transplantation or insertion of a
total artificial heart) was retrospectively estimated from medical records
for residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, who had died during a 5-year
period. Residents were divided into two age groups: those younger than 15
years (pediatric) and those 15 to 69 years (adult). During the 5-year
period of observation, cardiac disease led to death in 17 of the 8342 live
births in Olmsted County. Cardiac disease also caused the deaths of 248
adults meeting the age criteria. Five children and 35 adults met all
criteria for cardiac replacement. Extrapolation to the total population of
the United States suggests that 2167 children (a 95% confidence interval of
361 to 3972) and 16,500 adults (a 95% confidence interval of 11,456 to
22,959) per year could potentially benefit from cardiac replacement.
