Abstract: Introduction and objectives
This report updates the annual data of the Spanish Heart Transplant Registry with the procedures performed in 2021.
Methods
We describe the clinical profile, therapeutic characteristics and outcomes in terms of survival of the procedures performed in 2021. Their temporal trends are updated for the 2012 to 2020 period.
Results
In 2021, 302 heart transplants were performed (8.6% increase versus 2020). The tendency in 2021 confirmed that of prior years, with fewer urgent transplants and a preference for the use of ventricular assist devices. The remaining characteristics and survival showed a clear trend toward stability in the last decade. Compared with 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (2020 and 2021) did not affect short- or long-term survival.
Conclusions
In 2021, transplant activity returned to prepandemic levels. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic did not significantly affect transplant outcomes. The main transplant features and outcomes have clearly stabilized in the last decade.