Cardiac Transplantation in a Jehovah's Wittness: A Case Report / 대한흉부외과학회지

ABSTRACT

An orthotopic cardiac transplantation was successfully performed in a 40 year-old Jehovah's witness without use of any blood product. Preoperatively, the patient had been on coumadin to prevent left atrial thrombi and the INR(Internation Normalized Ratio)of prothrombin time was 2.4. During the operation, cell saver was used for shed blood and aprotinin was administered intravenously for platelet function. Total postoperative drainage was 860cc and the lowest hemoglobin was 12.2 gm/dl. Postoperative course was complicated by central nervous system infection by Listeria monocytogenes and two episodes of rejection, both of which were effectively treated. The patient is on his 5th postoperative month and doing well.