Atrial Flap Anastomosis: An Alternative Technique for Orthotopic Heart Transplantation

To combine the advantages of the standard technique and the bicaval technique of orthotopic heart transplantation, we use a muscular flap of recipient heart right atrium for connecting the superior vena cava with the donor heart right atrium. The results in respect to the maintenance of atrioventricular valve competence as well as atrial conduction are promising.