Organ Transplant

Overview

Why might I need an organ transplant?

Each organ in your body performs a vital function. Although not all organs can be transplanted, when disease or other factors result in organ failure, a transplant may be a lifesaving option for some people.

An organ transplant replaces a failing organ with a healthy one from a donor. Organs most often transplanted include the:

• Kidney . Diabetes, polycystic kidney disease, and lupus may lead to a kidney transplant.
• Heart . Diseases that may lead to a heart transplant include coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, and congenital heart defects.
• Lung . A lung may need to be replaced as a result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, or cystic fibrosis.
• Pancreas . Diabetes can sometimes lead to a pancreas transplant.
• Liver . Cirrhosis and hepatitis C are two diseases that can lead to a liver transplant.

How successful is organ transplant?

Organ transplants have been done in the United States since the 1950s. Transplantation is continually evolving and is more successful today than ever before. Even though your body's immune system may try to reject the donor organ, advances in medicines have dramatically reduced the threat of rejection.

The long-term success rates for organ transplants vary by the type of organ transplanted, by the number of organs transplanted at the same time (such as heart/lung transplants), and by the type of disease that caused the organ to fail. Generally, success rates for single-organ transplants average 80% or higher.¹ The highest success rate is for kidney transplantation, which has a five-year survival rate of about 80% to 90%. The five-year survival rate for liver transplants is about 73% to 78%; for lung transplants, about 45%; for pancreas transplants, 80%; and for heart transplants, just over 70%.²

How do I prepare for an organ transplant?

Transplantation can be a long and challenging process. The thought of having an organ transplant may be frightening or overwhelming, but a transplant can greatly improve your quality of life.

First, you'll need to have blood and tissue tests done that will be used to match you with a donor. The more matches you have with the donor, the more likely your body will accept the donor organ. Next, you'll be placed on a waiting list. This is done after you have been evaluated and accepted by the transplant center that will perform your surgery.

Because receiving a donor organ is a big responsibility, you'll have to be committed to taking good care of yourself in order to be approved for a donor organ. The best way to take care of your new organ is to take medicines as prescribed, get regular blood tests, and make any necessary lifestyle changes to stay healthy. There are also many emotional issues that may come with a transplant, so you may be required to see a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed mental health counselor about your transplant.

What can I expect afterwards?

You will need to take daily medicines to prevent your immune system from rejecting the new organ after a transplant. Because the body naturally seeks to destroy foreign substances, medicines are used to "trick" the immune system into accepting the new organ. Other medicines may be needed periodically if you develop an infection or other health problem related to your transplant. Regular blood monitoring and other tests will also be needed to monitor the health of the donor organ.

The amount of medicines you'll need over the years will vary. Usually, more antirejection medicines are needed within the weeks and months immediately following your transplant than in the months and years to follow.

You may need to make some lifestyle changes to keep your new organ healthy and strong. This may include eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and staying away from large crowds or people who are sick. Keeping in touch with your transplant coordinator and your local primary doctor, taking your medicines, going to your doctor appointments, and making lifestyle changes are all important.

One of the best ways to find out more about what it is like to have an organ transplant is to talk with someone who has had one. Your transplant center or health professional can give you the name of someone who is willing to share his or her experience with you.

Who can be an organ donor?

Many people decide to become organ donors when they die. However, people can also donate certain organs (such as a kidney or portion of a liver) while they are still living; these people are called "living donors." You do not have to be related to the donor to receive an organ. While close blood relatives may be a better match, this is not always the case. Organ donors and recipients are matched through blood work and other tests that indicate the likelihood that your body will accept or reject the donated organ. The closer your blood and tissue types are to the donor's, the more likely your body will accept the new organ.

There is a great need for organ donations—there are currently more than 86,000 people on the national organ transplant waiting list. People who are interested in donating an organ can contact the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) at (804) 782-4920 or go online at http://www.unos.org to obtain more information and to locate the nearest transplant center.

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Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW	Last Updated February 9, 2006
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Philip Belitsky, MD, FRCSC - Urology
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