HEART FAILURE AND TRANSPLANTATION

Updated 1/25

Simple heart facts: The heart is a pump that pumps blood to all the
organs around the body. Any damage to the heart muscle such as a
myocardial infarction may cause lack of blood supply and oxygen
deprivation. This results in chest pain and shortness of breath.

Hemodynamics refers to blood flow.See below.

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Heart transplantation

Scenario: Tim was admitted to the ICU with extreme
shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain. History includes:

Coronary artery disease and two MIs.
The doctor inserted a PAC ( Pulmonary Artery
Catheter ) in Tim's heart.

Tim was also put on medications like:
- Dobutrex to improve cardiac output
- Nipride to increase vasodilation

He will be cared for in the ICU by specially trained
staff members. Three weeks later a match has been
made and Tim is being prepared for surgery.

Postoperative care is very important in the plan of care.