Heart Transplantation: The Challenging Journey of an ACHD

Abstract

Nowadays many of grown-up congenital heart patients (GUCH) suffer from end-stage heart failure (ESHF); in these conditions, heart transplant (HTX) can be considered a therapeutic option. Despite HTX is considered the gold standard treatment for ESHF, only a limited number of patients received a new organ due to the lack of donors and immunological incompatibility. Transplant patients have to learn to live with their new heart. Heart recipients can “return to life,” but they must completely change their lifestyles (feed, physical activity, and life in society), and they are forced to deal with immunosuppressive drugs. The readjustment to a new life requires the intervention of skilled team. Nurses take an important role into the multidisciplinary care team, from patients’ admission to hospital discharge and later during clinical and instrumental follow-up. Transplant nurse specialist takes care of the patients when HF is diagnosed, during perioperative phase and after discharge from the hospital. The role of nurse is fundamental; providing quality care allows patients to survive and lead a normal life.