Cardiac transplant

Cardiac Transplant or Heart Transplant is a surgical procedure performed on patients with end-stage heart failure or severe coronary artery disease. The procedure involves the replacement of the patient's diseased heart with a healthy heart from a deceased donor.

History

The first human heart transplant was performed by Christiaan Barnard in 1967 at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. The patient, Louis Washkansky, survived for 18 days after the procedure. The first successful long-term survival after a heart transplant was achieved in 1968 by a team led by Norman Shumway at Stanford University.

Indications

Cardiac transplant is considered for patients with end-stage heart failure who have not responded to conventional medical or surgical treatments. Conditions that may lead to the need for a heart transplant include dilated cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, and valvular heart disease.

Procedure

The procedure begins with the removal of the donor's heart, which is preserved in a cold solution to prolong its viability. The recipient's diseased heart is then removed, leaving a portion of the atria, the upper chambers of the heart. The donor heart is then sewn into place.

Post-Transplant Care

After the procedure, patients are typically monitored in the intensive care unit for several days. Immunosuppressive drugs are administered to prevent the body from rejecting the new heart. Regular follow-up appointments and heart biopsies are also part of the post-transplant care to monitor for signs of rejection.

Risks and Complications

Complications of cardiac transplant include infection, bleeding, and organ rejection. Long-term complications may include coronary artery disease, kidney failure, and malignancies due to immunosuppressive therapy.

Prognosis

The prognosis after a cardiac transplant varies, with a median survival rate of approximately 11 years. Factors influencing survival include age, overall health, and response to immunosuppressive therapy.

See Also

• Organ Transplant
• Heart Failure
• Immunosuppressive Drugs

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