Critical care nursing quarterly
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While considerable progress is being made in the medical management of heart failure, mortality for this disease process continues to be significant. Cardiac transplantation becomes the treatment of choice for those with end-stage diseases that are acceptable candidates. ⋯ This article provides an overview of the postoperative management of the cardiac transplant recipient while in the intensive care unit. Additionally, a brief description of the surgical techniques employed and the physiology related to cardiac denervation are presented.
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The purpose of this article is to discuss the pathogenesis, characteristics, and treatment modalities for heart transplant recipients with cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). Cardiac transplantation has become an acceptable mainstream treatment for end-stage cardiac disease. ⋯ Currently, retransplantation is the only definitive treatment. Ethical concerns and the shortage of donor organs present a huge obstacle to retransplantation and the long-term outcome of heart transplant recipients.