Guide on Preparing for Heart Transplant Surgery

A Heart Transplant Doctor in Delhi may have a strong belief that your case can have a successful heart transplant with the right care. To make such hope a reality, go through this guide. It provides key information on who will need to prepare for a heart transplant, what will really happen before a heart transplant, how to be ready for the surgery, and why good preparation is a must.

Getting a Heart Transplant Surgery

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A cardiothoracic surgeon may tell the patient to get a heart transplant done and be ready for it when the patient:

• Has a failing heart, despite taking medications or other medical treatments;
• is spending most of their time in the hospital, experiencing shortness of breath at rest, and has an extremely limited quality of life;
• is having all other organs working efficiently; and
• is having a critically low (below 20%) pumping efficiency of the heart.

What to Expect Before Heart Transplant Surgery?

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1. A Thorough Evaluation: Before starting the process of a heart transplant, the surgeon needs to check the patient’s suitability for the surgery. For that, a comprehensive pre-operative evaluation will be conducted at the heart transplant centre. The evaluation will typically include medical laboratory tests- blood routine tests, chest X-ray, echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization, pulmonary screening tests, and cancer screening tests (for some patients); psychological and social evaluation; and discussion on potential costs- insurance coverage and pocket expenses.

1. Request for a Healthy Donor Heart: When the patient is approved for a heart transplant, the details of the patient are sent to the transplant coordinator, who will check on the availability of a donor heart and revert depending on the urgency of the case. The patient will be positioned on the transplant waiting list based on the severity of the heart condition, the blood type, the body size, the time listed, and the place of living.

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1. Preparation for the Surgery Day: While the patient is on the waiting list, the surgeon provides instructions on managing lifestyle and medications, mental and physical preparation, and building of support system. The patient must stay reachable, probably located a few hours away from the heart transplant centre. Also, they must be fully prepared for the surgery, including the possibility of undergoing open heart surgery in Delhi when required.

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How To Prepare for Heart Transplant Surgery?

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Here are the steps that need to be followed by the patient to ensure a complete readiness for a heart transplant:

• Mental preparedness- The patient must have a strong mind, acceptance of a failing heart condition, know about available hope, and preparation for uncertainty. The whole process must be completely understood by the patient.

• Physical preparedness- The patient must not lead a sedentary lifestyle rather go for gentle walks and light-impact activities to maintain a healthy weight. Eating a heart-healthy diet (low sodium/sugar and high protein) and taking prescribed medications are a must. Smoking and excessive alcohol intake must be strictly avoided. Furthermore, the patient must follow safe hygiene practices and not miss immunization schedules to stay infection/disease-free.

• Support system for aftercare- The patient must make necessary arrangements for a driver to go back home after discharge, and even a dedicated caretaker who is well-versed with medications, aftercare routine, and follow-ups. Moreover, the patient’s family also needs to be physically and mentally prepared for the patient’s visits to the hospital. The insurance and finances for the patient’s treatment journey must be kept secure.

Why Preparation for Heart Transplant Surgery Matters?

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A good preparation for heart transplant surgery will ensure:

• The long-term successful outcome, a better survival of heart transplant surgery
• The safety and eligibility of the patient for a heart transplant
• The donor’s heart is honoured as a gift to new life
• A quick and better recovery period
• The full support of the family.

Need Help? 

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A heart transplant surgery will not be started without the patient’s consent and the required preparedness. If you want more details about heart transplant surgery or have any preparation questions, connect with a Heart Surgery Doctor in Delhi, Dr. Sujay Shad and his heart transplant team today for more details.