Severe Cardiac Abnormalities That Were Present at Birth
Deep sleep is induced in the patient under general anesthesia and an incision through the sternum.
* The patients blood is circulated through a heart-lung bypass machine to keep it well oxygenated.
* Diseased heart is removed from the patient and the donor heart is stitched in place. Then disconnect the lung machine and the blood flows through the transplanted heart.
* Tubes can be inserted to drain air, fluid and blood out of the chest for several days to allow the lung to re-expand completely.
Why is the procedure:
A heart transplant may be recommended for:
* Severe Angina can no longer be treated with medications or surgery to repair coronary arteries.
* Severe heart failure when medications, other treatments and surgery are no longer appropriate. Possible causes of heart failure are:
or coronary artery disease
or cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease)
valvular heart disease with congestive heart failure
* Severe cardiac abnormalities that were present at birth and can not be repaired with surgery.
* Rhythm-threatening abnormal heart rhythms or unresponsive to other therapy
The heart transplant surgery may not be recommended for patients who:
* Have had cancer
* Infections such as hepatitis that are considered active
* Insulin-dependent diabetes with poor function of other organs
* Liver disease, renal, neurological or pulmonary
* Malnutrition
* Other diseases that affect the blood vessels of the neck and leg
* Smoking, alcohol and drug abuse or other lifestyle habits that may damage the new heart
The doctor may also recommend against heart transplant if there is concern that the patient can not meet the many monitoring visits in the hospital and the doctor, tests and medications necessary to maintain the new healthy heart.