Heart Transplant Surgery Procedure: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Heart Transplant Surgery Procedure: What to Expect and How to Prepare

A heart transplant is a major surgery that can save the lives of people with severe heart conditions. This procedure involves replacing a diseased heart with a healthy one from a donor. People with end-stage heart failure often consider a transplant when other treatments don’t work.

Surgeons carefully remove the diseased heart and replace it with a healthy donor heart, connected to the patient's blood vessels and monitored closely

Before the surgery, you will undergo various tests and evaluations to ensure you’re a good candidate. After a donor heart becomes available, surgeons will carefully remove your damaged heart and quickly replace it with the donor heart. During this time, you’re connected to a heart-lung machine to keep blood flowing through your body.

Recovery from a heart transplant takes time and involves managing medications to prevent rejection and regular follow-up visits. It is crucial to adhere to your doctor’s instructions to avoid complications. Adopting a healthy lifestyle post-surgery can significantly improve your quality of life.

Key Takeaways

  • A heart transplant can save those with severe heart conditions.
  • Preparation involves tests and evaluations to ensure suitability.
  • Recovery includes medication management and lifestyle changes.

Preparing for a Heart Transplant

Surgeons sterilizing tools, setting up equipment for heart transplant surgery

Getting ready for a heart transplant involves thorough assessment by a medical team, being placed on a waiting list for a suitable donor heart, and following specific pre-transplant care instructions.

Assessment and Evaluation

Your journey starts with an evaluation by a transplant team. They’ll check if you’re a good fit for a heart transplant. This involves various tests, like blood tests, heart function tests, and imaging exams.

The team looks at your age, overall health, and whether you have any other conditions. They also consider how severe your heart failure is. If you use a ventricular assist device (VAD), it’s part of this evaluation. The goal is to see if you are likely to benefit from a transplant and manage the surgery well.

The Waiting List and Donor Match

Once you pass the evaluation, you’ll join the heart transplant waiting list. The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) manages this list. Being on the list means waiting for a suitable donor heart.

Matching with a donor involves checking blood type, size, and other factors. The waiting time varies. It can be days or months. Staying in good health while you wait is key. Your place on the list can change based on your health and availability of suitable donor hearts.

Pre-Transplant Care

Before the transplant, you must follow specific pre-transplant care instructions. These include not eating or drinking anything before the surgery and having your phone and charger ready.

You might need to continue certain medications and bring them to the hospital. If you have a ventricular assist device (VAD), bring all related equipment. The goal is to e