Novel Diagnostics for Pediatric Heart Transplant Rejection

AbstractPurpose of ReviewDiagnosis of pediatric heart transplant rejection has historically relied on endomyocardial biopsy and clinical assessment. This review will describe novel techniques that may aid and refine diagnosis of rejection.Recent FindingsDonor-derived cell-free DNA and gene expression profiling assays provide diagnostics of rejection that are less invasive than surveillance endomyocardial biopsy. Imaging with echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and cardiac computed tomography are common for pediatric cardiology patients, and their role in detecting and monitoring rejection of heart transplants continues to be modified and expanded.SummaryNovel diagnostic tools have the potential to lead to less invasive and more precise diagnosis of transplant rejection, ideally improving the long-term care of pediatric heart transplant recipients.
Source: Current Pediatrics Reports - Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research