Danish experience with physical and occupational rehabilitation after heart transplantation. the heart transplantation group at Rigshospitalet
Aldershvile, J.; Boesgaard, S.; Kirchoff, G.; Arendrup, H.; Høyer, S.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 155(2): 98-100
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 8421869 Document Number: 419512
Heart transplantations have been carried out for one year (1.9.1990-1.9.1991) in Denmark. Twenty-three out of 27 patients survived at the end of this period. Prior to transplantation, all of the patients were in NYHA groups III or IV. On discharge, all of the patients could manage a 45-60 minutes training programme followed by a stair test (two to six floors up). Prior to transplantation, 17 patients received financial aid in one form or another and one child received special schooling. On an average 165 days (1.9.1991) after transplantation, nine patients were in full or part-time employment, two were students, seven received financial aid and five were still in hospital. A correlation between the duration of financial aid before transplantation and return to work after transplantation was found. In addition, age was found to be of significance. It is concluded that physical status and return to work are satisfactory.