Moving of organ from one body to another boby is called organ transplantation. Heart, Kidney, liver, lungs, pancreas, intestine, and thymus are transplanted organs. Heart and lung transplantation is now a realistic management option for patients with end stage cardiac or pulmonary disease, with more than 7000 new transplant procedures reported annually worldwide. The past four decades has seen steady improvements in survival due to advances in organ salvage, surgical technique, immunosuppression, and management of complications. The median survival is now more than 10 years following heart transplant and more than 5 years following lung transplant, and more than one third of heart recipients now survive more than 20 years. This improved survival has led to a shift in scientific interest to now include physical function and quality of life. Physical therapy is now an integral part of the management. Heart and lung transplantation is performed for end stage disease. Prior to transplant the patient is generally deconditioned due to the effects of end stage cardiac or respiratory failure. The combined effects of the surgery, anti-rejection medication, and post operative complications can contribute to activity limitation. Anti-rejection medication regimes predispose to infection and immunosupression. Other medication side effects include myopathy, tremor, osteoporosis, and fat gain. These factors all contribute to reduced aerobic capacity, peripheral neuropathy and proximal muscle weakness.
Outcomes of an Inpatient Rehabilitation Program Following Complicated Cardio-Pulmonary Transplantation: Bowman M and Faux S
Last date updated on December, 2024