Heart Transplant in India, Heart Transplantation Features

Overview of Heart Transplantation The idea of replacing a defective organ with a good one is not a new one; it has been documented in classical folklore as well. However, until drugs to prevent the donor heart from rejecting the organ were established, the successful replacement of a human heart was not widely acknowledged by the medical world.

A heart transplant is a surgical surgery used to replace the heart of patients suffering from end-stage heart failure or severe coronary artery disease when all other medicinal or surgical therapies have failed or are ineffective. It is a life-saving therapy that improves the recipient's quality of life and lifetime.

When the patient's heart is no longer capable of supplying blood enriched with oxygen and other nutrients to other organs of the body, the heart is replaced. Furthermore, just being a possible recipient of a heart is insufficient. To lessen the possibility of rejection, the recipient's immune system should be compatible enough to accept the donor's heart. In addition, other tests must be performed to confirm that the receiver is healthy enough to undergo the transplant surgery.

While many patients have end-stage cardiac disease and poor heart function, not all of them are eligible or qualified for heart replacement. To be eligible, all of the body's other vital organs must be fully working. Patients who have a current infection, malignancy, or diabetes mellitus are considered poor transplant candidates. Patients who have a history of using drugs, alcohol, or smoking are also not deemed suitable for transplantation.

Symptoms

Severe coronary artery disease, often known as end-stage heart failure, is a condition in which the heart muscles have a difficult time pumping blood to the body's important organs.

It is a situation in which no other treatment options are effective enough to keep the patient alive. Heart failure may be caused by:

The heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI) Infection of the cardiac muscle by a virus Blood pressure is high. Valve disease of the heart Birth defects of the heart (congenital) High pulmonary blood pressure Alcoholism or drug addiction Emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are examples of chronic lung illnesses (COPD) Red blood cell count is low (anemia) Recurrent dangerous irregular cardiac rhythms that are not managed by conventional therapy Previous heart transplant failure a deterioration of the cardiac muscle (cardiomyopathy) Coronary artery disease (CAD)

Treatment

The usual cost of a heart transplant is between 20 and 25 lakhs, which covers the pre-transplant examination, operation, and recuperation time. For heart transplants, physicians often advise patients to check their insurance policies to see whether they are covered.

To get a heart transplant, the patient must first be put on the transplant list. The organ should be implanted into the recipient's heart within four hours after being removed. The doctor's team constantly monitors the patient's health in order to manage heart failure until the donor's heart is found.

Typically, preparations for receiving a donor's heart begin several weeks before the heart transplant. It all starts with evaluating the recipient patient for the transplant. This procedure entails:

Psychological and social assessment Factors such as stress, financial concerns, and support from family or significant others may all have a big impact on how well the patient recovers following an organ transplant. Blood tests are performed. Blood tests are required to assist locate a suitable donor match and boost the odds that the donor heart will not be rejected. Diagnostic procedures. These tests are essential to evaluate the patient's lungs as well as his or her general health. X-rays, ultrasound treatments, CT scans, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and dental checks are examples of these tests. A Pap test, a gynecological assessment, and a mammography may be performed on women. Additional preparations. Several immunizations are given to the patient to reduce the possibilities of infection that might harm the transplanted heart. When the donor's heart becomes available, a surgeon from the transplant facility travels to harvest or retrieve the dead person's heart. The heart is transported in a container with ice packs in a specific solution. Once the surgeon is satisfied with the state of the donor's heart, the transplant procedure may commence.

Procedure

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, which puts the patient to sleep. During surgery, the anesthesiologist measures the heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen level. During surgery, the patient is put on a cardio-pulmonary bypass (heart-lung machine) so that blood is circulated throughout the body to all organs. The surgeon will next finish the process by replacing the damaged heart with the donor's heart.

Following the Procedure

Following surgery, the patient is moved to the recovery room or critical care unit.

ICU and was carefully followed for a few days. Depending on the patient's health, heart transplant surgery normally necessitates a stay of one to three weeks. The patient's infection will be monitored, and drug administration will commence. Antirejection medicine is necessary to ensure that the patient's body does not reject the donated organ. In addition, the doctor might send the patient to a cardiac rehabilitation clinic or unit to assist him adapt to his new life as a transplant recipient.

Recovery after a heart transplant might take a long time. It may take up to six months to completely recover.

At-Home Care

It is critical to take additional care of the patient when he or she is being transferred to a home environment. The following things should be considered:

Maintain a clean and dry surgery area. Do not disrupt the surgical staples or sutures until the doctor removes them. Following the transplant, you should see your doctor on a regular basis. If you have any of the following conditions, notify your doctor straight away: Either a fever or chills. Redness, swelling, bleeding, or discharge from the site of the incision or any of the catheter locations Pain around the surgical site has increased. Breathing difficulties Excessive tiredness Blood pressure is too low. Potential Hazards

Complications are possible with every procedure. The following are some of the potential dangers associated with cardiac transplantation:

Infection Bleeding during or after surgery Blood clots that may lead to a heart attack, stroke, or lung disease Breathing difficulties Failure of the kidneys Vasculopathy of the coronary allograft (CAV) Death Rejection Due to Donor Heart Failure

Rejection of any organ happens when the body's immune cells seek to eliminate the transplanted organ because it seems alien or different from the body's own cells. In such circumstances, the immune system rejects the transplanted organs and begins to produce antibodies against them. As a result, if not treated, the immune system would harm and ultimately kill the replacement heart's cells.

As a result, immune suppressants are recommended to patients to avoid rejection. These medications keep the immune system from rejecting the replacement heart and enable it to operate properly. However, a weakened immune system increases the patient's susceptibility to dangerous illnesses. Patients are also given anti-infective drugs to help them avoid infection.

The following are probable signs of rejection or infection:

Fever of more than 100.4°F (38°C) Chills, pains, headaches, disorientation, nausea, and/or vomiting are examples of "flu-like" symptoms. Breathing difficulty New discomfort or tenderness in the chest Fatigue or an overall "lousy" sensation Blood pressure elevation The Procedure's Advantages and Disadvantages

The method has the following advantages:

It is the only therapy for advanced heart failure. Long-term prognosis is favorable. It is possible to engage in regular physical exercise. Better quality of life due to fewer cardiac abnormalities. The method has the following drawbacks:

Donors are not always readily accessible. The heart transplant is a costly treatment that not everyone can afford. Vasculopathy after transplantation is a risk. Diseases might also develop in the donor's heart. Infection susceptibility and other chronic health issues Kidney problems caused by immuno suppressants Life Following Heart Surgery

According to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, the five-year survival percentage for the organ after a heart transplant is about 75%. Patients have reported feeling better after receiving a heart transplant. Patients' healing starts after they are discharged from the hospital. The following actions should be taken:

Regular Follow-up: Patients are often recommended to see the doctor at regular intervals to assess the progress of their recovery and the condition of their replacement heart. The visits are more frequent at first, but they eventually decrease.

Medication: To prevent the replacement heart from being rejected, patients are routinely given immune suppressants in addition to other drugs. As a result, patients must continue to take these medications for the remainder of their lives.

Hygienic: Practicing proper hygiene habits, as well as living a healthy lifestyle, is essential for transplant patients.

Exercise: Heart transplant recipients are recommended to exercise so that they may assist their new heart adapt and prevent weight gain. However, before resuming activity, see a doctor to prevent any unexpected discomfort.

Diet: After consulting with a dietitian, it is important to make certain dietary modifications after surgery. Patients are also recommended to follow a low-sodium diet to reduce the risk of elevated blood pressure and fluid retention.