Heart and Lung Transplantation – Transplantation cardiopulmonary complex
Description of Heart and Lung Transplantation
When the removal operation is carried out seriously ill or damaged heart and lungs. They are replaced with a healthy heart and lungs from a deceased donor.
Reasons for transplant heart and lung
Heart and lung transplant performed, if you have:
- Neobratimaâ, a life-threatening lung disease, which affects the heart. An example of this is severe pulmonary hypertension (increased blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs);
- Other treatments (eg, operation, therapy) We were unsuccessful.
Possible complications of Heart and Lung Transplantation
If you plan to change the heart and lungs, you need to know about possible complications, which may include:
- Infection;
- Rejection of transplanted organs;
- Coronary artery disease;
- Pneumonia;
- Blood clots;
- Bleeding;
- Reduced brain function;
- Damage to other organs of the body, such as kidney;
- Irregular heart rhythm;
- Problems, associated with anesthesia;
- Infection or cancer, associated with taking immunosuppressive drugs;
- Death.
Some factors, that may increase the risk of complications include:
- Existing heart or lung disease;
- Age: 60 and older;
- Kidney or liver disease;
- Uncontrolled diabetes;
- Infection;
- Stroke;
- Smoking;
- Long-term drug or alcohol abuse;
- Poor blood circulation;
- Autoimmune diseases.
How is the transplant of heart and lungs?
Preparation for the procedure
There is a shortage of donors, so you can expect a transplant for a long period of time. You advisable to wear a cell phone, so the doctor can reach you, if donor organs become available.
Your doctor will monitor your health, To make sure, you are ready for transplantation. Before the surgery, the doctor, probably, perform or prescribe the following procedures:
- Inspection;
- Blood tests, To make sure, the liver and kidney are functioning normally;
- Determination of blood group and tissue type.
On the eve of the operation:
- Consult your doctor about the drugs taken. A week before surgery you may be asked to stop taking some medicines:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, aspirin);
- Blood thinners, such as clopidogrel or warfarin;
- You can not take a new medication without consulting your doctor;
- We need to organize a trip for the operation and back home from the hospital;
- Organize home care after surgery;
- The night before the operation can eat a light meal. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
Anesthesia
At step used general anesthesia, which blocks any pain and supports the patient during sleep.
Procedure Heart and Lung Transplantation
After, as you fall asleep, the doctor cuts the skin and breastbone. Chest cavity is opened, vessels will be connected to the heart-lung machine (AIK). This device performs the function of the heart and lungs during surgery. The doctor then removes the diseased heart and lungs. Prepared donor lungs are sewn in place older, then in the same way it sets a new heart. Finally, blood vessels are interconnected. After that, the blood starts to flow and warms the heart.
The new heart may begin beating itself, or doctor may use electroshock, to start the heart. For security purposes, set a temporary pacemaker, to maintain a regular heartbeat. When the doctor is confident, that the heart is beating normally, AIC will be disabled. In the chest cavity can be placed temporary drainage tubes to drain fluid and blood. The chest will be closed brackets, and the skin is sewn seams.
Immediately after transplantation of heart and lung
The state of health will be supported and closely monitored in the intensive care (OBE) with the following devices:
- Kardiomonitor;
- Heart pacemaker – to help the heart beat normally;
- Drainage tube in the chest, for discharging accumulated fluid and blood from the chest;
- Snorkel, until the patient is able to breathe on their own.
How long will the transplant of heart and lungs?
Several hours.
Heart and Lung Transplantation – Will it hurt?
The pain will be felt during recovery. The doctor will give pain medicine.
The average hospital stay
This procedure is performed in a hospital. Usually stay is two weeks. The doctor can extend the period of stay, If there are signs of rejection of donor organs, or any other problems.
Care After Heart and Lung Transplantation
Care in a hospital
During recovery, the hospital you need:
- Deep breathing and coughing 10-20 times each hour, to help the lungs and clear them;
- Take immunosuppressive drugs. Probably, they need to take the rest of his life. These drugs reduce the likelihood, that the body will reject the new organs.
Doctor, perhaps, hold Biopsie hearts, If the following problems:
- Continued fever;
- Problems with the functioning of the heart;
- Bad feeling.
Home Care
When you return home, follow these steps:, to ensure the normal recovery:
- Take your medicines as intended;
- Visit the cardiologist to check heart function, and, perhaps, for the selection of tissue for biopsy;
- Work with a physical therapist. Keep in mind, the new heart will respond poorly to increase physical activity;
- Ask the doctor, when it is safe to shower, bathe, or to expose the surgical site to water;
- Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.
The incision in the chest will live through 4-6 weeks.
Contact your doctor after transplantation of heart and lung
After discharge from the hospital need to see a doctor, If the following symptoms:
- Signs of infection, including fever, chills – because you are at increased risk of infection due to receive immunosuppressive drugs;
- Redness, edema, increased pain, bleeding or discharge from the incision;
- Cough, breathlessness, chest pain, or severe nausea or vomiting;
- Increased production of sputum (mucus);
- Coughing up blood;
- Waking up at night due to shortness of breath;
- Sudden headache or feeling of weakness;
- Changes in weight or blood pressure;
- Chest pain or palpitations, absence, the feeling passes heartbeats;
- Pain, burning, frequent urination or persistent bleeding in the urine;
- Excessive fatigue and swelling of the feet.
