Anesthesia for Noncardiac Surgery in Heart Transplanted Patients: 2 cases report / 대한마취과학회지

ABSTRACT

With the introduction of cyclosporine, heart transplantation has become a widely accepted treatment for patients with end-stage heart failure. Number of operation increased steadily during recent 6 years with many postoperative follow up cases. A number of survivors are now presenting for non-cardiac surgery. Cardiac transplanted patients present anesthesiologists with challenging problems related to the infection in immunosuppressed patients, rejection phenomena, denervated heart pathophysiology with altered hemodynamic function of their own and under circumstances of stress and drug therapies. We experienced 2 cases of general anesthesia for noncardiac surgery in heart transplanted patients without important hemodynamic changes. Preoperative evaluation including heart status, rejection, immunosuppressive drug therapy and its complications is mandatory. These patients present few problems during anesthesia if adequate hydration, aseptic technique, selection of proper vasoactive drugs are provided.