An adult heart transplant is a surgical procedure in which a patient's diseased or failing heart is replaced with a healthy heart from a deceased donor. This procedure is typically considered when other treatments for heart disease have failed, and it aims to significantly improve the quality of life and life expectancy of the patient.

Adult Heart Transplant

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We understand that navigating treatment and diagnosis options can be challenging. The information on this page is meant to give you a general overview of the various approaches. Your healthcare provider will determine specific treatment and diagnostic options based on your individual diagnosis, medical history, and other factors.

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The actual heart transplant procedure involves several stages:Preoperative preparation:<ul><li>Once a donor heart is available, the patient is prepared for surgery. This includes fasting and administering medications to reduce the risk of infection.</li></ul>Anesthesia:<ul><li>The patient is given general anesthesia to ensure they are completely unconscious and pain-free during the procedure.</li></ul>Heart transplant surgery:<ul><li>An incision is made in the chest to access the heart. The patient is connected to a heart-lung machine that takes over the heart’s pumping and oxygenating functions during the surgery. The diseased heart is removed, and the donor heart is stitched into place, with careful connection of the blood vessels.</li></ul>Completion and closure:<ul><li>Once the new heart is in place and functioning properly, the heart-lung machine is disconnected, and the chest is closed. The patient is then moved to a recovery area for close monitoring.</li></ul>

Procedure

Proper preparation is crucial for the success of a heart transplant. Patients should follow these steps to ensure they are ready for the procedure:Maintaining health:<ul><li>It is important to keep as healthy as possible while waiting for the transplant. This includes following a heart-healthy diet, maintaining physical activity as recommended by the healthcare team, and avoiding infections.</li></ul>Medication management:<ul><li>Patients may need to take medications to manage heart failure symptoms and other related conditions. These medications should be taken exactly as prescribed.</li></ul>Regular monitoring:<ul><li>Frequent check-ups and tests to monitor the patient’s condition while waiting for the transplant are essential.</li></ul>Education and consent:<ul><li>Understanding the transplant procedure, its risks, benefits, and potential complications is crucial. Patients should discuss any concerns with the healthcare team and provide consent for the procedure.</li></ul>

Preparation

Determining eligibility for an adult heart transplant involves a thorough evaluation process. Here are the key steps:Medical evaluation: <ul><li>A detailed assessment by a cardiologist and transplant team, including diagnostic tests like echocardiograms, MRIs, CT scans, and cardiac catheterization to evaluate the severity of the heart condition.</li></ul>Health assessment: <ul><li>Evaluating the overall health of the patient to ensure they can withstand the transplant surgery and post-operative care. This includes blood tests, chest X-rays, pulmonary function tests, and assessments of other organ systems.</li></ul>Psychosocial evaluation: <ul><li>Assessing the patient's mental and emotional readiness for the transplant, including their ability to adhere to the post-transplant regimen and the support available from family or caregivers.</li></ul>Listing for transplant: <ul><li>If deemed eligible, the patient is placed on the transplant waiting list, and the patient is educated on what to expect while waiting for a donor heart.</li></ul>

Eligibility

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