Complications After Heart Transplantation in Adults: an Update

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe goal of this review article is to highlight our understanding of potential complications after heart transplantation. We aim to discuss recent advances within the field that directly impact the management of heart transplant recipients. Our target audiences include cardiologists, emergency medicine, and internal medicine providers.Recent FindingsHeart transplantation remains definitive therapy for end-stage heart failure. Complications after transplant can be divided in to post-operative, early, and late. Complications are related to the differing physiology of the denervated transplant heart as well as the immunosuppressive medications necessitated to maintain graft function. These include primary graft dysfunction, allograft rejection, chronic renal insufficiency, cardiac allograft vasculopathy, and malignancy.SummaryThe anticipation and management of complications in patients after receiving a heart transplant involve a comprehensive understanding of the differences in the transplanted heart and effects of immunosuppressive therapies.
Source: Current Emergency and Hospital Medicine Reports - Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research