Bhanu Garg in Health

What happens after Heart Transplant Surgery 2023 Updated

Many heart patients wonder what happens after heart transplant surgery. Heart disease is more prevalent nowadays than they ever were! The way we live and the environmental influences such as food intake and work pressure can cause heart diseases. The possibility of someone in our family suffering from heart disease worries us. Therefore, let’s see in this article which is the post-treatment options. And, what is it for you?

After the heart transplant surgery?

The members of the post-transplant team, which includes an experienced social worker, specialist dietitian, and pharmacist, collaborate to make every patient’s recovery as smooth as possible. They aid with financial concerns such as dealing with insurance companies and enrolling patients into programs that lower their costs for prescription drugs. Besides, you may also discover a few side effects after heart transplant surgery.

They also aid in administrative tasks, such as coordinating care with hospitals outside the state and stacking appointments to limit travel to the medical facility. They mark milestones with the patient and get to know their loved ones and family members emotionally. Therapists from occupational and physical therapy can assist you in working to increase your endurance and strength. They will advise you on the safest and most efficient methods to boost your exercise following your discharge from the hospital.

Common problems after the surgery

There will be some discomfort upon waking up; However, it will ease as you start taking medicine.
There is a breathing tube in the tube that helps you breathe.
You may notice a change in the frequency that your heartbeats.
You are more susceptible to ailments during this time and possibly for a few weeks following the transplant. Therefore, be extra cautious.
It would help if you protected your cuts. Keep them clean and dry. Don’t rub or wet them.
You could have an open or an infection within the area of your incision.
The breastbone of your child could shift or break. Contact your physician immediately.
The process of preparing for a heart transplant is complex. If you make a mistake, it could result in a chaotic situation. So, we advise you to plan step-by-step, starting from the beginning.

Recovery after the heart transplant surgery

Once your surgery is over, the doctor will transfer you to the hospital’s intensive care unit to recuperate. You’ll get a breathing machine for a minimum of six to eight hours as the effects of anesthesia diminish. Once the doctor removes the breathing, the physical therapists and nurses will help you gradually increase your activity level. Most patients remain in the ICU for two and three days; however, it varies based on your recovery. You and your caregivers learn how to care for the new heart. The nurses and pharmacists will also help you learn the new regimen for your medication.

Cardiac Biopsy

After heart transplant surgery, the doctors prefer a cardiac biopsy to monitor. A cardiac biopsy is currently the most reliable method to determine the presence of heart rejection. It is conducted regularly following surgery and when it is suspected that rejection has occurred and to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-rejection treatment.

In older children and adults, routine heart biopsies can be performed roughly every week during the first four weeks following the operation and then at a lower frequency, depending on the course of your treatment. At six months after the operation, many patients can have regular biopsies every three months. The requirement for biopsies to be monitored regularly is not definite.

If a heart biopsy is performed when admitted to an institution, it is essential to adhere to the doctor’s instructions who performed the procedure.

If you’re coming to us for an outpatient biopsy, we recommend:

Avoid taking diuretics the night before or in the morning before the biopsy.
Make sure you have a “salty meal” the night before.
Do not lift any heavy objects for 24 hours after the biopsy.

How does a cardiac biopsy work?

The procedure takes place in an operating room or the cardiac cath lab. The doctor will administer a local anesthetic to treat the area around your neck. It takes around 30 minutes. The long tubing (catheter) known as bioptome is inserted through a small cut on the left side of your neck and then into the heart. In some instances, the biopsy catheter can be inserted into a groin vein if vessels in your neck aren’t accessible.

A kind of X-ray known as fluoroscopy can help doctors direct the bioptome along the jugular vein into the right chamber of the heart’s ventricular. The jaws on the instrument are closed and opened, and a tiny piece of tissue is removed and then removed. They will check at white blood cells to determine if you’re suffering from rejection. The results of the biopsy are generally accessible within 24-48 hours. A Transplant Coordinator will inform you about the result as quickly as possible.

The diet and nutrition guidelines for heart transplant surgery

Nutrition is a crucial aspect of a healthy lifestyle before, during, and following the transplant. Surgery and certain medications may modify your nutritional needs and body processes food. Limit sweets and sugars that are concentrated. Prednisone’s long-term use is linked to increased blood sugar levels. The presence of high blood glucose levels could, in turn, increase the levels of blood triglycerides. It is recommended to reduce your consumption of sugar and sweets with a high concentration and maintain the number of carbohydrates consumed in your daily diet to the range of moderate. Adjust the fat content in your diet. The blood cholesterol levels are directly linked to coronary artery disease in all people.

Reduce your sodium intake: To avoid the risk of fluid retention and to help control blood pressure, I suggest that you adhere to a low-added salt diet.

What is Cognitive impairment?

In heart failure, reduced cardiac output and inadequate circulation to the brain could lead to cognitive decline even without stroke. The use of medications for cardiac health can be a factor in cognitive problems. For patients who use ventilator assist machines, micro-embolism could cause brain malfunction.

Conclusion:-

Make sure to monitor your heart, and in any inconvenience, contact doctors at Gleneagles Global Hospital Chennai. Your doctor and transplant team will check on you for between two and four weeks at the hospital. The team that performed your heart transplant will assist you in ensuring that you are aware of your new medication, such as timing, adverse effects, and other issues. You can also contact health experts at Credihealth for a second opinion.

Also Check :Which Doctor to Consult for Stomach Pain

Also Read: Which Doctor to Consult for Mouth Ulcer

Also Check : Which doctor to consult for Hair Fall

Also Check: Which Doctor to consult for Back Pain

Also Check : Which Doctor to Consult for Headache

Also Check : Which Doctor to consult for Foreskin Problem

Also Check : Which Doctor to Consult for Burning Feet

Also Check : Which Doctor to Consult for Hernia

Also Check : Which doctor to consult for Urinary problems

Also Check: Which doctor to consult for Breast Pain

Also Check : Which doctor to consult for Breathing Problems

Also Check : Which Doctor to consult for Breast Discharge