Repercussions on the daily living of post-heart transplantation patients

Abstract

Objective: To learn the repercussions on the daily living of patients that underwent heart transplantation. Methods: A descriptive and qualitative study was conducted in a transplantation center in the Brazilian Northeast region. Nine patients who underwent heart transplantation participated in the study. Data were collected using the focus group technique, facilitated in four meetings. The excerpts of their statements resulted in two thematic categories: being a heart transplantation patient - before and after; and feelings and perceptions on heart transplantation. Results: The people submitted to transplantation identified positive changes achieved after the surgery, but suffered with the countless prohibitions that directly interfered on their daily living; the limitations resulting from transplantation were highlighted and hindered patients from feeling effectively healed. Conclusion: Participants recognized heart transportation as a solution for their clinical symptoms, but with a significant loss of autonomy that compel them to intensive adaptation efforts.