1. What Causes End-Stage Heart Failure?
FIXING AN ACHY BREAKY HEART: HEART TRANSPLANTS
Maeleigh Ferlet and Rebecca Morra
INTRODUCTION
PRE-OPERATION
POST-OPERATION
Psychological and social evaluation
Blood Tests
Patient placed in the cardiac ICU
Monitor vitals, ECG, blood pressure, central venous pressure, left atrial pressure, and pulmonary artery pressures.
Extubation once ABGs are within satisfactory ranges.
IV fluids administered
Oxygen therapy is given for respiratory support post-op
Mediastinal drains in place
Urinary catheter
Strictly Monitor Intake and Output
Anti-infective agents as prophylaxis
Psychological support
What is a Heart Transplant?
To ensure that the heart is the best match
To reduce chance of rejection
A damaged or diseased heart is taken out of an individual and is replaced with a new, healthier heart from a donor (National…, 2016).
The donor heart comes from an individual who has been deceased
The heart is transplanted during a procedure that lasts several hours
Financial Problems
Stress
Family Support
Diagnostic Tests
X-rays
Ultrasound
CT scan
Pulmonary function tests
Dental exams
For women: pap test, gynecology evaluation, mammogram
WHO NEEDS ONE?
What Causes End-Stage Heart Failure?
Coronary Artery Disease
Heart Attack
Cardiomyopathy
Congenital Heart Defects or conditions
Conditions That Overwork The Heart
LIFE AFTER A HEART TRANSPLANT
Additional Things:
Vaccines to prevent chances of acquiring infection
Consent
88% of heart transplant patients live for a year
60% of heart transplant patients live for five years
Once one year post-surgery, the patient will have annual exams that include:
Echocardiogram
Labs
Chest x-ray
ECG
Coronary arteriogram or angiogram
Intravascular ultrasound
(“Care of the Heart Transplant Patient”, 2002).
INTRA-OPERATION
Why Do People Need a Heart Transplant?
Heart Transplantation
Surgeon cuts down chest center and cuts sternum in half
Cardiopulmonary bypass is initiated to allow blood to continue to pump to the rest of the body
Diseased heart is removed
Donor heart is placed in recipient and sewn into place
Blood vessels are attached to the new heart
Blood going through bypass machine begins to circulate through the new heart
Surgeon uses defibrillator to shock the new heart into rhythm
The new heart is observed to ensure correct functioning
Sternum and skin are sewn back together
Chest tubes are placed to allow drainage to exit from the chest
Sterile dressing is applied
The number one reason that patients need a heart transplant is severe heart failure
“One or both ventricles in the heart are not functioning properly” (American, 205).
The ventricle are responsible for pumping blood through the heart and into the body
Oxygenated blood is not being circulated enough in the body to meet its demands
Signs of Transplant Rejection
Fever or chills
Shortness of breath
Fast or irregular heartbeat, S3 gallop, soft heart sounds
Hypotension
Sudden weight gain or swelling of extremities
Flu-like aches and pains, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, syncope
Reduced urine output
Nausea or loss of appetite
Heart attack
HOW DO YOU GET ONE?
WHAT IS UNOS?
The United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS
Allocates organs to donors based on need and priority
Patients in ICU, Life-Support Measures, Mechanical Assists Devices, Cardiac Supporting Intravenous Medications
Dependent on intravenous medications or a mechanical-assist device (hospital or home)
Stable on oral medications and able to wait at home
Inactive due to a change in condition
CONCLUSION
Status 1A
Status 1B
Status 2
Status 7
Take Care of Your Heart!
Annual checkups
Regular exercise
Quit smoking
Maintain healthy weight
Balanced and nutritious diet
Monitor cholesterol and sodium intake
(“Heart Waiting List”, 2017).