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Heart transplant - MayoClinic.com

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Heart transplant

Heart transplant
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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff A heart transplant is an operation in which a failing, diseased heart is replaced with a healthier, donor heart. Heart transplant is a treatment that's usually reserved for people who have tried medications or other surgeries, but their conditions haven't improved sufficiently.

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While a heart transplant is a major operation, your chance of survival is good, with appropriate follow-up care. When faced with a decision about having a heart transplant, know what to expect of the heart transplant process, the surgery itself, potential risks and follow-up care.

Why it's done

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Heart failure Congenital heart defects in children

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1. Heart transplant. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ht/ht_all.html. Accessed Aug. 30, 2010. 2. Colucci WS, et al. Indications and contraindications for cardiac transplantation. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 30, 2010. 3. Heart transplantation in the United States, 1998-2007. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.ustransplant.org/annual_reports/current/chapter_v_forprint.pdf. Accessed Aug. 27, 2010. 4. Jessup M, et al. 2009 Focused update: ACCF/AHA guidelines for the diagnosis and management of heart failure in adults. Circulation. 2009;119:1977.

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Heart transplant - MayoClinic.com

5. Ventricular assist device. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/vad/vad_all.html. Accessed Aug. 30, 2010. 6. Anderson AS. Prognosis after cardiac transplantation. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 27, 2010. 7. Pina IL. Rehabilitation after cardiac transplantation. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 27, 2010.

Dec. 10, 2010

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