Heart transplantation – indications, contraindications and long-term treatment of transplanted patients

Abstract:

Heart transplantation is a well-established and recognized treatment method for patients suffering from terminal heart failure with less than one year of life expectancy despite optimal medical therapy. Cardiac transplantation involves teams of experts in specialized transplantation centres. In addition to the surgical procedure, there are other steps of great importance in treating patients requiring heart transplantation, such as psychological support, careful selection and regular preoperative and postoperative follow-up, evaluation and treatment. 

Key words:
heart failure; heart transplantation; transplant cardiology