A heart transplant is a surgery done to replace a diseased heart with a healthy one from a donor. The organ is obtained from a brain-dead person if they had registered to be an organ donor after death, provided specific circumstances are met. Although extremely difficult, if the surgery is successful, people can live a healthy life after a heart transplant if they maintain the right food and lifestyle choices.

When is a heart transplant needed?
A heart transplant is a treatment option considered for individuals suffering from end-stage heart failure. The condition leads to the organ pumping insufficient blood to the body due to weakness or damage. This type of heart failure may occur because of several reasons. Doctors usually recommend surgery for patients with the following conditions:

Valvular heart disease
In this condition, there is damage to the heart valves.
Coronary artery disease
It indicates a blockage in the arteries of the heart, which may lead to a heart attack and damage to the cardiac muscles.
Cardiomyopathy
The disease causes the heart muscles to stiffen. It may be a result of genetic diseases and infections.
Congenital heart disease
In this condition, an individual is born with a defect in the heart structure. Such diseases lead to end-stage heart failure, which requires a heart transplant.

Who are not eligible for a heart transplant?
A heart transplant surgery is not possible for individuals suffering from certain chronic conditions that may result in fatality, such as severe lung disease, cancer, advanced kidney disease, cirrhosis, severe psychiatric conditions, an active infection, serious pulmonary embolism, uncontrolled diabetes with an organ damage, or a recent stroke.

Cost and insurance for heart transplants
This major surgery tends to cost around $1,664 800, as per 2020 data. It includes pre-and post-operation care expenses, hospital charges, organ procurement, and doctor fees. The private insurance coverage for this surgery varies massively. The individual must connect with the policy provider to understand all the terms and conditions.

Procedures
To understand the procedures, it is crucial to learn what happens before the transplant in the following steps:

The first step is the doctor’s referral to the transplant program, then the evaluation is scheduled.
In the second step, the health evaluation is done.
The patient is added to the waiting list. The more urgently heart is needed by an individual, the higher the chances he/she will be on the top of the chart.
In the fourth step, the bridge treatment happens, including therapies, mechanical support, and the left ventricular assist device recommendation.

What happens during the transplant?

The transplant procedure involves several crucial steps, as detailed below:

General anesthesia
The first step involves providing general anesthesia to the patient so they are unconscious during the procedure.
Ventilator connection
The second step is to connect the patient to the ventilator, which ensures the patient can keep breathing while under anesthesia.
Blood thinners
Then, the blood thinners are administered so that there is no formation of clots when the blood passes through the heart-lung bypass machine.
Connecting to the heart-lung bypass machine
This step involves connecting to the heart-lung bypass machine or cardiopulmonary bypass machine. The device helps add oxygen to the blood and removes carbon dioxide.
Removal of the heart
Here, the surgeon will remove the diseased heart by disconnecting it from the blood vessels.
Implanting the donor heart
The donor’s heart is attached to the primary blood vessels, and the surgeon revives the new heart. Sometimes, an electrical pacemaker is also required.

Recovery
As a heart transplant surgery is extensive and complicated, it follows that the recovery time is also longer than most operations. It requires staying in the hospital for ten days or even three weeks. Overall, it takes several months for the patient to recover. Read on below to learn some of the post-treatment care tips:

Hospital recovery
As mentioned earlier, there is a need to stay in the hospital for around ten days to three weeks. The care team will monitor the patient around the clock.
Plan of care
The care plan is provided to the patient’s family/caregiver before leaving the hospital. It is vital to follow this and check in with the team at the hospital in case of any issues.
Cardiac rehab
A cardiac rehabilitation program is a prescribed and monitored strategy that helps professionals improve the individual’s endurance, strength, and heart function.

A heart transplant is a complicated but life-saving surgery. However, it is important to be aware that there is a limited availability of donors. Healthcare providers can only determine whether the individual is the right candidate for this surgery or not after extensive testing, post which, they can prepare the patient for the next steps. It is always best to consult a healthcare provider and work according to their advice and recommendation.