Heart-Lung Transplantation
Definition
Heart-lung transplantation is the replacement of the native diseased heart and lungs by transplant of donor heart and lungs.
Purpose
Heart-lung transplantation is required when blood ventilation (air exchange) is inhibited. Inhibited oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer prevents the delivery of oxygen to the tissue and results in carbon dioxide levels in the blood that are higher than normal. Additionally, pulmonary hypertension can cause compromised cardiac function.
Demographics
There are factors which absolutely contraindicate (rule out) heart-lung transplantation, including multiple organ system dysfunction, current substance abuse, bone marrow failure, active malignancy, and HIV infection....
[The entire page is 1583 words long]
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