Introduction . Increase in the number of older patients with terminal CHF results in increase in their proportion among potential recipients requiring mechanical circulatory support and/or heart transplantation (HT) [Abecassis M., Bridges N.D. et al., 2012]. Aim. To analyze our own experience of HT in recipients of older 60 years. Materials and methods . The study included 63 patients (56 men (93.3% ) and 4 (6.7%) women) aged 60–74 years (63.0 ± 0.8) with body weight of 76.6 ± 1.4 kg, body surface area of 1.7 ± 0.02 m2, and body mass index of 23.4 ± 0.6. Indications for heart transplantation: dilated cardiomyopathy – 24 (38.1%), coronary heart disease – 34 (54.0%), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – 2 (3.2%), irreversible cardiac graft dysfunction – 3 (4.7%). 46 (73.0%) patients had NYHA functional Class III and 17 (23.0%) patients – Class IV. Transpulmonary pressure gradient was 11.2 ± 2.7 mmHg, pulmonary vascular resistance – 3.5 ± 1.3 Wood units. According to UNOS algorithm 10 (15.9%) patients were listed as Status 1A of urgency of orthotopic cardiac transplantation (VA ECMO, n = 8, and implantable left ventricular assist device, n = 2), 21 (33.3%) patients as Status 1B, and 32 (50.8%) patients as Status 2. Recipients had the following comorbidities: arterial hypertension (n = 51; 81.0%), diabetes mellitus (n = 6; 9.5%), cerebrovascular disease (n = 13; 20.6%), history of stroke (n = 9; 14.3%), dialysisindependent renal dysfunction (n = 21; 33.3%). Before cardiac transplantation 9 (14.2%) recipients underwent various thoracic surgeries, 2 (3.2%) recipients – brain surgery. Heart donors (49 (77.8%) men and 14 (22.2%) women) were aged 18–59 (34.3 ± 10.4) years. Results . ICU hospitalization lasted for 4–15 (8.2 ± 0.5) days. In 61.9% of cases (n = 39) early postoperative and hospital periods were uncomplicated. Early on-table postoperative activation («early» tracheal extubation) was performed in 32 (50.8%) patients in 48 ± 6 minutes after surgery completion. 2 (3.2%) recipients demonstrated early graft dysfunction and required VA ECMO. Complications other than graft dysfunction were in 24 (38.1%) recipients: renal dysfunction (n = 8; 12.7%), renal and hepatic dysfunction (n = 4; 6.3%), infections (bacterial pneumonia, n = 3, [4.8%]), dyscirculatory encephalopathy (n = 9; 14.3%). 12 (19.0%) patients required continuous renal replacement therapy, 10 of them (15.9%) demonstrated renal function recovery. In 2 (3.2%) cases long-term hemodialysis was used. Hospital lethality (n = 6; 9.5%) was due to multiple organ failure syndrome and sepsis. Conclusion. Our own experience demonstrates satisfactory short-term and long-term survival after heart transplantation in recipients of 60 years and older.

Aim. Identifi cation of possible histological differences of the Quilty effect in acute rejection and its absence as well as studying the proliferation of blood and lymph vessels in the area of Quilty damage. Materials and methods.  883 endomyocardial biopsy materials from 352 patients were studied. Histological sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson method; the endothelium of lymphatic vessels was stained with immunoperoxidase method using a marker D2-40. Results . The Quilty effect was observed both in acute rejection and in its absence. In the majority of cases the Quilty effect was of type «A» and it was combined with acute rejection. The Quilty effect of type «B» has been mostly in the G2R. Acute rejection is characterized by diffuse form of endocardium lymphoid infi ltration. Follicular form resembles lymphoid organ tissue. Different types and forms of the Quilty effect may be combined in the same biopsy. Proliferation of blood vessels presents in the area of the Quilty effect. Lymphatic vessels are missing in endocardium and in the area of the Quilty effect. They could be found only in the myocardium of endomiocardial biopsy. Conclusion. Diffuse lymphoid infi ltration of the endocardium is a characteristic feature of acute rejection of the transplanted heart. Follicular form of the Quilty effect is similar to lymphoid tissue whose role requires further study using immunohistochemical methods.

The review presents the data on the results of recovery the myocardial function in patients with end-stage chro - nic heart failure and prolonged using of the systems assist device. The most effective treatment of the chronic heart failure was received by the combination of the left ventricular bypass and the medical therapy aimed at normalizing the cellular, structural and functional characteristics of the myocardium («reverse remodeling»). An important step in restoring the myocardium to explantation pump is to create the conditions for the «physiologic hypertrophy» of the heart. The application of this technology will open the way for the treatment of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, alternative heart transplantation.