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Cardiac Surgery | by Dr. Ratan Kumar Das | Published on 16/02/2022
Do you feel worried whenever you hear that a doctor has suggested heart transplant surgery for someone you know? And want to explore the details of what this really means? Then you are on the right page. In this article, you are about to find out some facts related to heart transplants, the steps involved in it, when you should consider getting one, and many more.
We will discuss this with our panel of experts practicing in the best cardiac hospital in Kolkata.
A cardiologist (heart doctor) performs a heart transplant in which the patient's weakened or diseased heart is replaced with a healthy heart from a deceased donor. A successful heart transplant can provide a ray of hope to a patient's life since it can extend their longevity and improve their quality of life.
If you are suffering from chronic heart disease like
-coronary heart disease
-congenital heart disease
-irregular heartbeat
-chronic blood pressure
-repeated heart attack or
-myocardial infarction
that might eventually lead to heart failure. If medicine or other non-invasive methods do not work, you may need to consider heart transplant surgery.
These disorders can impair the heart's overall performance or function, hence the heart is not able to adequately pump blood throughout the body.
Once you've been released from the hospital, you'll need to see your doctor for a follow-up appointment. These follow-up appointments should not be overlooked. These regular visits are required for the first few months, as your doctors will be monitoring the efficiency and functional abilities of the transplanted heart. During this time, your doctors will perform tests to ensure that your body accepts the new heart and that no issues emerge.
After a successful heart transplant, the survival rate of the patient depends on multiple factors-
-overall health and age of the patient
-based on the lifestyle changes and care you are taking for your heart after the transplant.
Although as per research, 75 percent of heart transplant recipients live for up to ten years after surgery, and 85 percent go back to work.
It may take up to four hours for performing heart transplant surgery. Additional hours may be required based on the patient’s condition during surgery.
Your doctor may suggest waiting for at least one year after getting the transplant. This much time is required for your body’s immune system to get habituated to the transplanted heart.
Some people are not eligible for a heart transplant. Your doctor might suggest getting mechanical support from the outside called LVAD to continue the heartbeat. The LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) assists in sustaining continuous blood flow into your heart and throughout your body while you wait for a donor's heart or you are not a good candidate for a heart transplant.
A recent study has shown that living up to 15-20 years in a patient with end-stage heart failure is possible.
Though there is no such cut-off age for a heart transplant. But as per research, up to 65 years is considered to be the age to have this kind of transplant. The patient's overall health condition, past medical history, and evidence of previous heart surgery should also be taken under consideration for a heart transplant.
Conclusion- if you are having any cardiac issues or if you want to know whether your heart is healthy enough or not, you can come and visit us, and get yourself checked by the top-notch surgeons in the best heart hospital in Kolkata.
