Heart-lung transplant - Recovering from a heart-lung transplant

Following a heart-lung transplant, you will need to stay in an intensive care unit (ICU) for a few days.

This is because:

• you will need to be carefully monitored to make sure the organs are working
• there is a risk that your body may suddenly reject the new organs, which would require emergency treatment
• you will require assistance with breathing and feeding until you begin to recover

It is likely you will be in some pain after the transplant, so pain relief will be given as required.

You will usually be transferred to a general ward after three or four days, where your health will be monitored as you recover. Most people are well enough to leave hospital around three weeks after having a heart-lung transplant.

The recovery process

Recovering fully from a transplant can be a long and frustrating process. You may be referred to a physiotherapist or other rehabilitation specialist, who will teach you exercises specifically designed to strengthen your new heart and lungs. This is known as cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.

It may be up to six months before you are well enough to return to your normal daily activities.

During your recovery period, you will need frequent hospital visits and some admissions. You may need as many as three check-ups a week during the first few weeks after having the transplant. These appointments will become less frequent if you make good progress.

Even when you've made a full recovery, you will still need to have regular check-ups. Depending on your state of health, the timing of these appointments can range from once every three months to once a year.

Immunosuppressants

As the transplanted organs are foreign to your body, the immune system will try to defend itself by rejecting the organs. Rejection leads to injury of the transplanted organs, which, if not prevented, can cause organ failure. To prevent this, you will need to  take life-long immunosuppressant medication.

Most patients will need a combination of three anti-rejection medications. If you are well, with time the dose of the immunosuppression can be reduced.

Immunosuppressants are powerful medications that can have a range of different side effects, including:

• high blood pressure 
• diabetes 
• high cholesterol
• kidney problems
• increased risk of cancer

It is important to manage any complications to prevent long-term problems, which usually involves further medication. You may also experience other issues, such as:

• increased vulnerability to infection
• weakened bones (osteoporosis)
• muscle weakness
• nausea
• vomiting
• stomach ulcers
• blurred vision
• insomnia
• weight gain
• mood swings
• shaking of the hands
• acne

While these side effects may be troublesome, you should never stop taking immunosuppressants or reduce the recommended dose. If you do, it could lead to your heart and lungs being rejected, which can be fatal.

Your transplant team may be able to provide you with additional treatments to help reduce any side effects that you experience after taking immunosuppressants.