Heart Transplant Surgery

Heart transplant surgery (also known as cardiac transplantation or artificial heart transplantation), is a surgical procedure to remove an injured or unhealthy heart by a healthy donor heart to replace it. Heart plays a vital role in human biological life and is considered as an essential organ of the human body, as it pumps blood and controls blood circulation. Any kind of damages of heart can be life threatening and heart transplant surgery can only increase life expectancy in that condition. This transplantation procedure is performed when no other medical or surgical options are existing that will improve current heart condition.

Factors that may increase the risk of heart failure and resulting it the heart transplant surgery is required are such as- coronary artery disease, such as a heart attack, untreated hypertension (hypertensive heart disease), heart valve problems, viruses & infections, inherited heart disease and alcohol and illicit drug use. Heart transplant surgery is categorized in two types- 'orthotropic' (when the recipient's heart is removed) and 'heterotrophic' (the new heart is positioned next to the failing one and they work as a 'double heart'). The most popular type of heart implantation is orthotropic.

The surgery of heart transplant is performed under a general anesthetic so that patient will asleep throughout the procedure. Before deciding the surgery, some preparation is done such as blood work, an electrocardiogram (ECG), a chest X-ray, a urine sample, and the insertion of an intravenous line for measuring pressure in the lung routes. Initially surgeon mkes an incision in the chest and as the compatible heart is matched with the needs of a patient, surgeon removes the recipient's heart when the donor heart arrives in the operating room. The supporter heart is then trimmed to fit into the patient's hollow space. The great vessels are sutured, connections are restored, the new heart is restarted and the incision of chest cavity is closed.

Heart transplant surgery usually takes around four to seven hours to complete. Patient should stay in the hospital for 10 days after the surgery so that surgeon will make you sure that everything is working fine. It is advised to patient that- avoid contact with the people who have infections such as flu or a cold during the recuperation period. Stitches of surgery will dissolve on their own after a few weeks. Some food precautions must be followed after the surgery such as low-fat and low-sodium food. As you get complete recovery, you achieve a healthy heart to live your normal life.