Comparison of Survival in Primary and Repeat Heart Transplantation From 1987 Through 2004 in the United States

Survival after retransplantation is significantly reduced relative to survival after primary transplantation. The difference in survival between primary and repeat transplants is smallest among recipients who fit the profile of the typical repeat transplant patient. In general, these are younger patients with better functional status prior to listing, who received an organ from a younger donor.