Coronary Artery Study in Pediatric Heart Transplantation

Transplant coronary artery disease (TCAD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric heart transplantation (PHT). Understanding the pathophysiology and early detection along with attempted medical management are crucial in preventing advancement of the disease and retransplantation or mortality. Coronary angiogram, although routinely used is insensitive to detect early TCAD. Measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR), coronary flow reserve (CFR) and index of microvascular resistance (IMR) using a doppler pressure and flow intracoronary wire may be more sensitive in evaluating the integrity of coronary vasculature and thus detect pre clinical TCAD. To the best of the investigators knowledge, measurement of these parameters has not been previously reported in PHT.