Complications of heart-lung transplant Save
ICD-10 code: T86.3
Chapter: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
Complications of Heart-Lung Transplant
Heart-lung transplant is a complex surgical procedure that involves replacing a patient's heart and lungs with those of a donor. This procedure is usually done for patients who suffer from severe heart and lung diseases. However, like any other surgical procedure, heart-lung transplant comes with its own set of complications. Here are some of the possible complications:
- Rejection: The biggest complication of heart-lung transplant is the risk of rejection. This occurs when the immune system of the recipient identifies the new heart-lung as foreign and attacks it. To prevent this, patients are given immunosuppressive drugs, but these drugs come with their own side effects.
- Infection: Patients who undergo heart-lung transplant are at an increased risk of infections. This is because the immunosuppressive drugs they take can weaken their immune system, making them more susceptible to infections. Infections can be serious and even life-threatening in some cases.
- Bleeding: Heart-lung transplant surgery involves cutting through the chest and opening the rib cage. This can result in significant bleeding, which may require blood transfusions or additional surgery to stop the bleeding.
- Heart or Lung Failure: Although heart-lung transplant is done to treat heart and lung diseases, there is still a risk of heart or lung failure. This can occur due to a variety of reasons, including rejection, infection, or complications during surgery.
- Side effects of Medications: Patients who undergo heart-lung transplant need to take several medications, including immunosuppressive drugs and medications to prevent infections. These medications can have side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and hair loss, among others.
Despite these complications, heart-lung transplant can be a life-saving procedure for patients with severe heart and lung diseases. However, it is important to discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure with your doctor before making a decision.