After Transplant

In the Hospital

The Ricky Hendrick Centers for Intensive Care - Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) - LCH 6th Floor

After surgery, your child will go to the CVICU.

Your child will be sleepy from the anesthesia (a medicine that puts your child to sleep during surgery).
I.V.s (small, plastic tubes that provide fluids and medicine through his veins) and drainage tubes will be connected to your child. A ventilator will also be attached to your child. The ventilator will breathe for your child until he wakes up from anesthesia.
- Your child will not be able to talk while on the ventilator.
- Once your child wakes up and can breathe on his own, the breathing tube will be removed and your child will be able to speak.
Your child may stay in the CVICU for two to three days.
The heart transplant team and the CVICU staff will take care of your child after surgery.

LCH 8th Floor - Progressive Care

After a few days, your child will be taken to the 8th Floor in LCH.

The nurses and staff will help your child recover and prepare him to go home.
Your child can usually go home about seven to 14 days after surgery.
The transplant coordinator and nursing staff will teach you how to care for your child at home.

Guidelines for Visiting the CVICU and the 8th Floor at LCH

Wash your hands each time you enter and leave your child's room.
Tell your child's nurse if any visitors are sick. The nurse will give them protective clothing to help keep your child healthy and prevent infections.
Due to limited space, only two visitors at a time are allowed in the CVICU.
While on the 8th Floor, please stay in your child's room when doctors do daily rounds. Rounds are times when doctors, nurses and the transplant team talk about the care of your child. Your child's nurse will tell you when the doctor will make rounds.
It is best to stay with your child at all times. A family member or friend who is at least age 18 is allowed if the parent cannot stay.
One parent can stay in the room with your child overnight. Your social worker can help you arrange rooms for other family members.
Child visitors less than age 12 must be with an adult at all times.

Taking Care of You and Your Family

The heart transplant team knows you have a great need to be near your child during the hospital stay. We also know that it is easy to become tired from worry or lack of restful sleep. This means you should take regular breaks, eat well and get plenty of rest. You will be better able to make decisions for your child. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to help you.

Getting Ready to Go Home

Taking your child home with a new heart can be very stressful. The transplant coordinator and team will help prepare you for discharge. There will be discharge teaching sessions to assist you in caring for your child at home prior to discharge. Medications will also be sent home with you the day of discharge.

Steps for Heart Transplant :The Transplant Surgery :Caring For Your Child After Transplant :When to Call : Back to Heart Transplant Home