Post-operative Cognitive Dysfunction
transplanted into
empty chest, donor’s heart beats
hope memories stay
Post-operative cognitive dysfunction is a known occurrence after surgery and anesthesia and significantly impacts quality of life. Even as the person has undergone surgery successfully, they may no longer be the same person cognitively.
Heart Transplants are rare. Both donor and recipient must have a compatible blood type and similar body size before a transplant can be considered. About 2000 people undergo heart transplants each year in the United States. 20% of those on the wait list die while waiting.
Following a transplant, both the donor and the recipient’s lives are affected. The heart and the memory of the donor persists past death and is cherished by the recipient whose life has been extended, however brief it may be.
Srikantha Rao is an anesthesiologist at a tertiary care medical center in a University teaching hospital.
Thank you for sharing this rare insight into the organ donor/recipient experience in such a concise and effective way.