What are the indications of Cardiac Transplantation ?
Indication : Patients in NYHA class IV with heart failure, refractory to medical management caused by end stage coronary artery disease or cardio myopathy will need heart transplant.
Patients who need frequent admission to hospitals and require continuous inotropic support should also undergo heart transplantation. Some patients may be in cardiogenic shock or low cardiac output requiting mechanical ventilation, intra aortic balloon pump, ventricular assist device or total artificial heart. If these patients' other systems are not irreversibly damaged, they are candidates for transplantation. A lesser percentage of patients with irreversible heart failure due to congenital anomalies, valvular heart disease or rejection after one cardiac transplantation should undergo this operation. Patients whose circulation is being supported by IABP, ventricular assist device or total artificial heart as bridge to transplantation are urgent candidates for transplantation.