- Emergency
- Coronary heart disease.
- Valvular heart disease.
- Diseases of the thoracic vessels.
- Arrhythmias.
- Transplantation.
- Heart transplant
- Indications.
- Organ donation.
- Guidelines for organ mediation.
- Inclusion on the waiting list.
- Examinations before inclusion on the waiting list.
- Regular check-ups prior to transplantation.
- The heart transplant call.
- The transplantation.
- The first days after the transplant.
- Postoperative immunosuppression.
- Other medications.
- Medication times.
- Postoperative complications and rejection reactions.
- Complications due to infections.
- Check-ups.
- How do I do things correctly.
- Lung transplantation.
- Combined transplantation.
- Heart transplant
Other medications
Apart from the immunosuppressive medications, additional drugs must be taken. These are intended to protect the body from infection or alleviate the side effects of the immunosuppressive therapy. The use and nature of the comedication vary from centre to centre and are tailored specifically to the patient’s needs.
The most common medications are used to promote kidney function. Drugs known as HMG CoA reductase inhibitors reduce the cholesterol levels in the blood. The calcium channel blockers are the main medications used to reduce blood pressure. Reduction of the blood sugar is usually indicated in patients who have raised blood sugar levels before the transplant. As the body is more susceptible to different types of fungal infection, a locally acting antifungal (antimycotic) drug is given to prevent fungal infection in the gastrointestinal tract. Virostatic drugs prevent multiplication of viruses and thus the spread of a viral infection. Co-trimoxazole is given to prevent any lung inflammation for 2 to 12 months after the transplant.