A heart transplant is a complex procedure, and there are many risks involved. However, the success rate of heart transplants has gone up in recent years.
For those who have considered this option and are now wondering what to expect, read on to find out more about the procedure, risks, and safety measures you need to know before signing up for this challenging surgery.
In order to fully understand the risks of a heart transplant, it is important to understand the procedure. Essentially, a heart transplant is the process of replacing a failing or damaged organ with a donor’s one. This involves harvesting the organ from the donor and implanting it into the recipient. With every step of this procedure, there are risks that must be taken into consideration by both patients and their loved ones.
The Procedure of Heart Transplantation
The process of heart transplantation usually begins with the removal of the diseased or damaged heart. The transplantation is performed by connecting a donor heart to the recipient with either an artery or vein.
The donor heart is usually from a brain-dead organ donor with no diseases. The recipient is put under general anaesthesia for the surgery. The donor’s heart is removed, and it is placed in the recipient’s chest. The recipient’s blood flow and other vital functions are then restored.
At times, the heart hospital performs on patients with congenital heart diseases. Congenital heart diseases occur when the heart is formed abnormally, causing the heart to have an abnormally low pumping capacity. These congenital heart diseases are usually detected during the prenatal period and are treated before the newborn baby is born. However, in some cases, congenital heart diseases are not identified until the babies are born and the need for heart transplantation arises.
Risks of Heart Transplantation
There are many risks involved in heart transplantation. These include the risk of death, the risk of heart damage, and the risk of organ rejection.
Medical professionals try to lower the risk of death during heart transplantation. However, it could happen if the recipient is unable to survive after the surgery and the heart is not able to supply the necessary oxygen and nutrients to the body.
Infection is one of the common causes of death during heart transplantation. The risk of heart damage is also very high during the surgery. This risk is also high in the first few weeks after the surgery.
The risk of organ rejection is also very high in heart transplant recipients. This risk is highest in the initial days after the surgery.
Safety Measures for Heart Transplant Patients
The surgery for heart transplantation involves the removal of the donor’s heart and its implantation in the recipient’s body. So, the donor’s heart must be removed from the body before it’s implanted in the recipient’s chest. The donor heart can be transported to a laboratory and stored at very low temperatures before this surgery. This is to avoid the risk of accidental damage during transportation.
For a heart transplant recipient, the main safety measure is the use of blood pressure and blood sugar lowering drugs. This is to prevent the recipient’s blood pressure from rising too high, causing damage to the brain and the other vital organs in the body. Patients with heart transplants are also given medication to prevent any type of infection.
After the surgery is successful, it is crucial to follow up with the doctor. The doctor will assess the patient’s health, perform blood tests, etc. They will also check for any organ rejection signs.
Furthermore, the patient will have to follow the diet suggested by the medical professionals. Patients can consult a nutrition specialist to discuss the diet plan. It’s also necessary to exercise as suggested by the doctor.
Conclusion
Heart transplantation is a highly complex procedure with many risks involved. Experienced transplant surgeons and teams are required for a successful surgery. Hence, it’s recommended to look for the best doctors for the treatment. Speaking of India, this treatment is available in various states. One can search for heart transplantation in Kerala as it is one of the most well known states in India for this surgery. Though it is a very challenging procedure, patients who undergo heart transplantation can get a better quality of life after the surgery. Heart transplantation can be a life-saving procedure for some patients with no other options for treatment. However, it is not a simple surgery and should only be done by experienced surgeons. Heart transplantation is a procedure with many risks and should be approached with extreme care.
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