engleski

Neurologic Problems in Patients after Heart Transplantation

Neurologic complications occur in patients after heart transplantation, and they can cause significant morbidity and mortality of the patients. In this study we summarized most common neurologic complications and etiologic parameters ; thromboembolism, syndromes of cerebral hypoperfusion, brain haemorrhage and toxic side effects of the drugs used. From September 1988 to December 1999 there were 53 heart transplantations (in 45 males and in 8 females) performed in Zagreb, Croatia. The patients were from 19 to 63 years old. Nineteen of them are still living with reasonable quality of life. From all patients that deceased, one died of ishaemic stroke. In this study we included 19 patients and examined risk factors for cerebrovascular disease, then we performed clinical neurologic examination, CT brain scan, EEG, carotid arteries ultrasound, TCD, emboli detection (HITS), EMG, auditory evoked potentials, mini mental scale and blood tests. The most common neurologic complications were various neuropathies, e.g. reversible mononeuropathies following the surgery, or polyneuropathies due to the use of drugs, and signs of cerebrovascular insufficiency. One patient developed peroneal nerve paresis, three patients developed polyneuropathy and one patient had vertebrobasilar insufficiency. In patients with heart transplant neurologic complications are common. Therefore, we suggest to perform neurologic examination in such patients to prevent neurologic complications, or with specific therapy to postpone or alleviate complications. In this way a quality of life of the patients with heart transplant can be improved and morbidity and mortality will decrease.

neurology; heart transplantation

Nepotpuni zapis, a podaci o casopisu su netocni, admin