Nursing care in the first heart transplant in Mexico

Abstract

The experience in nursing care of the first patient undergoing Heart Transplant in Mexico is analyzed. The patient is a 44-year-old male patient with a diagnosis of ischemic heart disease in an advanced stage and short-term fatal prognosis; who received the heart of a female donor of 21 years of age and brain death diagnosis. The surgical procedure was carried out on July 21, 1988 at the Hospital de Especialidades Centro Médico La Raza, IMSS, at the end of the surgery the patient was transferred for his attention to the Intensive Care Unit, where the nursing care was aimed at constant monitoring of hemodynamic parameters, prevent and treat postoperative complications that may arise, initiate the bio-psycho-social rehabilitation of the patient to reincorporate him to his normal life. Nursing care is essential for a satisfactory evolution of the patient. The care of the first patient undergoing Cardiac Transplantation gives us the basis for the future care of heart transplant patients.