Live Life Team
What happens during the heart transplant,
It would take around 3 -5 hours for the commencement of the entire heart transplant process. The operation which involves the replacement of the recipient heart with a healthy and suitable donor heart is often known as Orthotopic transplant. The entire procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic. When you are under the affect of anaesthesia, you will be made to lie down on your back with the hands at the sides. Your bladder will be drained during and after the surgery using a catheter and further the bypass machine will be connected to you. This machine will perform the role of the heart and help in oxygenating and circulating the blood during the transplant process.
In order to allow the surgeon to have a complete access to your heart, the breast bone is separated by an incision. After this, except for the left and right artria, the complete heart is removed and the new heart is further connected to the remaining arteries and aorta which is the pulmonary artery. The bypass machine is removed only when your heart has started functioning normally and the entire medical team is satisfied and happy with the decision. After the completion of the process, quite a few of the tubes or drains can be seen coming out of the chest. Stainless steel wires will be used for closing the sternum and the skin and the tissues would have been closed using the dissolvable stitches.
The risks involved in the entire process
It’s a well known fact that there is always a factor of risk involved in all the major surgeries. The risks associated with the heart transplant are:
The donor heart getting rejected
Chances of infection
It is more likely to get certain kinds of cancer
Immunosuppressant drugs can cause certain kinds of infections in the body
There is a possibility that the arteries of new heart can get narrowed.
After Surgery
You will be shifted to the intensive care unit immediately after your surgery. You will not only be under the effects of the sedatives but also will be connected to the ventilator, which will help in breathing. The team of specialists will be monitoring and checking you closely, X-rays will be carried out and the medications and the fluids will be given intravenously. You will be moved to the high dependence ward only after your condition stabilizes. You will be put on to very high dosage of immunosuppressant atleast for the first few months after the transplant surgery so as to ensure that the new heart is not rejected by the immune system of your body. Though gradually down the line, the dosage of your medication will reduce but you will have to continue with it for the rest of your life.
After around 2 – 3 weeks of the surgery you will be discharged from the hospital. For atleast a month’s time you will be told to reside somewhere close to the transplant centre. You will have to visit every week once for the second month. For the rest of your life, you will have to visit the transplant centre every three months and get the blood tests done every six weeks.
Recovery Process
You will have to avoid lifting, pulling and pushing of heavy objects atleast for the first six weeks. You will be advised to be a part of the rehabilitation centres for staying healthy and building up strength. You should eat a healthy and balanced diet and exercise regularly for regaining your strength and recovering.
