MuLtimodality EvaluatiOn of aNtibody mEdiated Damage in Heart Transplantation (LEONE-HT)

Cross-sectional evaluation of antibody mediated injury in heart transplantation patients through a multimodal approach: electron microscopy, optic microscopy, immunohistochemistry techniques, transthoracic echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, pressure guide wire, intravascular ultrasound

Heart transplant survival has barely improved in the last decades and unsatisfactory for a large proportion of heart transplant recipients. The development of leukocyte antigen antibodies (anti-HLA) in the post-transplant patient is associated to the main causes of graft dysfunction. The mechanisms of this damage are unclear and there's no effective treatment. The investigators aim is to identify early markers of graft injury through a complete morphological and functional evaluation with histological analysis, immunological assays, advanced imaging techniques and invasive evaluation of coronary vasculature in patients with anti-HLA compared to matching controls. The investigators propose a cross-sectional study within a large heart transplant cohort. This is a multicentric observational multimodal study. The investigators aim is to establish early characteristics of antibody mediated damage and set the bases for future studies looking for new treatment targets.