What Reasons Would Someone Need A Heart Transplant?

Stitchie · May 3, 2004

Cardiomyopathy, for one, which is basically the same thing only I think it happens quickly. (Drug abuse, pregnancy, genetic conditions/predisposition etc.) CHF may happen over many years and would be more likely be seen in an older population.

Cardiomyopathy is an enlarged and weakened heart which does not pump effectively, for whatever reason.

Similar to CHF but the reasons for the symptoms/syndrome can be numerous.

I'm in the ED, not in CCU, so my experience is limited.

Erin RN · May 4, 2004

I think you have to have heart failure in order to have a transplant..of course that heart failure can be caused by a variety of factors..pathology, congenital, environmental. Last time I looked (and this was awhile ago) in order to even be one the list a patient had to be down to minimal functioning. I think the numbers vary from program to program Actually although heart failure is a diagnosis if you think about it, it is more like a symptom ie: something had to cause the damage. Erin

RNCENCCRNNREMTP · May 6, 2004

Cant some one tell me why woudl someone need a heart transplant other than heart failure

In the end, the reason for heart transplant is "heart ain't workin' ". Many causes, cardiomyopathy (many causes right there), massive or cumulative MI, end stage lung disease with pulmonary hypertension and right sided heart failure (gets heart and lung) etc, etc. End reason, heart in the chest now is failing so lets find a young fresh one to replace it.