transplant and coma

[romanichek]

hello
Please can we make a heart transplant to a person in a stable coma
Thanks

[skydnsr]

The chances for a good long term outcome will depend on a lot of factors.  One of the main ones is, as mentioned above, the patient's overall health aside from the heart issue.  Another big one is the effectiveness and tolerability of the anti-rejection drug regimen that the patient has to be on for the rest of her life.  It is a wait-and-see situation.  The healthier the patient is and the more compliant with medications, the better the prospects for the heart to last a long time.  I think this is a very unusual situation, for a heart transplant to have been done on someone who is in a coma; however, I assume the doctors must have thought there was a good chance of success, or they would not have performed the operation.  

[ed34]

Is it an induced coma? Can the patient breathe on their own? or is the patient relying on life support? What is the optimism for the patient waking up? IF the patient is self breathing and all other organs are working within limits AND they feel confident the patient will wake up again, then there should really be no problem. It's basically like asking if a patient can be operated on while asleep.

[romanichek]

OK Thanks
The private hospital  in switzerland has made this transplant on that person in a coma; a hearth was availaible; I just wondered if her chances was limited for longterm.
the operation was fine.
Thanks

[caregiver222]

Every hospital has what is called a "transplant committee". In general, if the prognosis for recovery is poor the request would be denied. Although technically possible the supply of human hearts is limited.

[skydnsr]

Transplant surgeons usually want for the patient to be in good health, except for the heart disease.  Overall good health offers the best chance of longterm success for the operation.  

Generally, no, a person who is in a coma would not be a candidate for a heart transplant.  If your question is prompted by a personal situation, I am so sorry.