Heart Transplant

Heart Transplant is a surgical procedure that involves replacing a diseased or failing heart with a healthy heart from a deceased donor. This procedure is typically reserved for patients with end-stage heart failure or severe coronary artery disease when other treatments have failed.

Indications

A Heart Transplant is indicated for patients with end-stage heart failure, a condition where the heart is no longer able to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. This can be due to a variety of causes, including coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, or valvular heart disease.

Procedure

The Heart Transplant procedure begins with the removal of the patient's diseased heart, leaving the back half of the left and right atria intact. The donor heart is then sewn into place, and the patient's blood vessels are connected to the new heart. The heart is then restarted, and the patient is taken off the heart-lung machine.

Risks and Complications

As with any major surgery, a Heart Transplant carries risks. These can include infection, bleeding, and organ rejection. Patients will need to take immunosuppressive drugs for the rest of their lives to prevent rejection of the new heart.

Prognosis

The prognosis following a Heart Transplant varies greatly depending on a variety of factors, including the patient's age, overall health, and response to the transplant. However, many patients go on to lead full, active lives following their transplant.

See Also

• Heart Failure
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Cardiomyopathy
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Valvular Heart Disease

Heart Transplant Resources
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