Psychiatric aspects of heart transplantation.
There are many practical psychiatric, social, and ethical problems which accompany heart transplantation. These include pre- and postoperative anxiety and depressive conditions, post-operative delirium, and social and family dysfunctional syndromes. This paper reviews the literature critically in the following five areas: pre-transplant evaluation, coping with surgery, postoperative sequelae, rehabilitation, and management. Although most recipients have a good outcome from the physical and psychiatric points of view, a substantial minority experience family conflicts and sexual dysfunction after surgery. An average of 45% of patients from all studies returned to full-time employment. The distinctive role and contribution of the psychiatrist on the transplant team is discussed and important areas for future research are outlined.
Mai
F M
FM
Department of Psychiatry, Ottawa General Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D003693:Delirium / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011788:Quality of Life; D012803:Sick Role