PATIENTS CARE AFTER HEART-TRANSPLANTATION

During the last decade, heart transplantation has evolved as an accept ed alternative in the therapy of end-stage heart failure. The increasi ng number of heart transplant recipients and the excellent long term r esults require the clinicians and general practitioners to become fami liar with the care of post-transplant patients. This article summarize s functional aspects of the transplanted heart and transplant-related complications as well as side-effects of immunosuppression. Data and r ecommendations presented reflect both the results of the current liter ature as well as the experiences obtained by our Heart Transplant Prog ram in Munster.