10 Things Patients Should Know Before Undergoing Heart Transplant

Heart transplant surgery is a complex surgery that is performed in the last stage of heart failure. It is a major surgery that makes people tense and worry. One way to ease up your anxiety is to get prepared for it beforehand. This can be done by gathering important information about the procedure. This blog discusses the same, helping patients prepare for the surgery. The insights are gathered from some of the top heart surgeons and even the best cardiac surgeon in Delhi. Let’s learn about what one must know before undergoing heart transplant surgery. This heart surgery is associated with the condition when a heart cannot pump efficiently. In this procedure the surgeon replaces the damaged heart with a healthy heart and enhances the longevity of life. 

Things to Know Before Undergoing Heart Surgery

1. Assess the Condition

Assessing the medical conditions is the primary step. It is crucial in determining the ideal candidates for heart transplant surgery. It includes several factors like age, medical conditions, and psychological health. Experienced surgeons utilize test results to assess the patient’s heart condition by performing several diagnostic tests like ECG. 

The surgeon examines kidney or liver disease, cancer, or infections, as any other medical illness increases the risk of complications. Age is the other factor that decides the success of heart transplant surgery. Patients should know about the procedure and the expected results. It supports the patients emotionally and mentally.

1. Donor’s Availability

Donor availability is the most crucial factor in heart transplant surgery. The experienced surgeon checks the donor heart with the recipient’s heart, including blood type, tissue compatibility, and body size. These factors reduce the risk of organ rejection and ensure the proper heart function. The availability of heart donors is also a significant issue. Sometimes patients wait for a month or a year in search of a suitable heart donor. It is a complex procedure that ensures effective results.

1. The Surgery Process

Heart transplant surgery is a life-saving procedure that takes between 4 to 13 hours. At an advanced facility like Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, the best hospital for heart surgery in Delhi, the surgery is performed by an experienced surgeon, Dr. Sujay Shad. He gives local anaesthesia to the patient to numb the target area. It reduces the pain and discomfort. The surgeon attached the heart-lung bypass machine. It takes over the function of the heart and lungs during the surgery. The surgeon makes an incision and removes the damaged heart with high precision. 

The doctor then carefully transplants the healthy heart into the proper position and connects it with the aorta, pulmonary arteries, and veins to the healthy heart. After the procedure, the patient is transferred to the ICU, where doctors examine the patient after the procedure.

1. Post-Surgical Care

Post-surgical care is the critical step that ensures successful results. The patient is sent to the ICU after the surgery, where the surgeon observes the patient. The doctors examine if there are any complications like bleeding, infections, or heart rejection. The surgeon collaborates with other teams, like physiotherapists, pharmacists, psychiatrists, and dietitians. The physiotherapist helps them regain strength, whereas pharmacists prescribe medications like immunosuppressive that prevent heart rejection.

1. Risk of Organ Rejection

The risk of organ rejection is one of the major issues for those undergoing heart transplant surgery. Rejection of the heart occurs when the immune system does not accept the donor’s heart. The doctors perform tests like blood tests, biopsies, and tissue compatibility, to determine the suitability of the heart before the procedure. The doctors also recommend immunosuppressive medications that reduce the risk of donor heart rejection.

1. Medications and Their Side Effects

Medications play a significant role in smooth heart recovery. Medications like immunosuppressants prevent heart rejection. However, excessive use of immunosuppressants causes side effects such as kidney damage, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of infections. It also results in weight gain and high sugar levels. It is necessary to follow up with the doctors for optimum results regularly. 

1. Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes play a significant role in recovering after a heart transplant. Lifestyle changes include a healthy diet, regular exercise, avoidance, and stress management. A diet with fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins is considered healthy. The pateint should avoid fats and sugar, and managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Regular exercise like walking, cycling, or swimming improves heart function and helps in fast recovery. 

1. Psychological Support

Counseling therapy is the best method to support heart patients. Counseling helps the patients to overcome the issue and reduces the feeling of anxiety. Family and friends’ support can strengthen the patients emotionally. 

1. Financial Concern

The cost of a heart transplant is very high. It includes the cost of surgery, pre-and post-operative care and consultation, surgeon’s fees, and medication. You should be financially capable to manage all the expenses. 

1. Long-Term Results

The longevity of a transplanted heart depends on certain factors, such as the patient’s lifestyle, health, and medication intake. It is necessary to frequently visit the doctors to monitor the transplanted heart conditions and reduce the risk of complications.

Consult a Top & Best Cardiac Surgeon in Delhi for Heart Transplant

Heart transplant is a life-saving surgery. Those who are advised to undergo this surgery should consult a skilled heart transplant surgeon. One such renowned and best cardiac surgeon in Delhi for heart transplants is Dr. Sujay Shad. He is one of the best heart surgeons and has saved countless lives by performing heart surgeries at the advanced heart surgery facility, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Consult him to get more details on the treatment procedure’s success and even cost.