Introduction xi

Section 1: Renal Transplantation 1
Part 1:The Basics 3
Questions 1–7 introduce the different conditions that can result in
kidney transplantation:
• What is renal failure?
• What causes chronic kidney disease?
• How long can I live on dialysis?
Part 2: Before Transplantation 11
Questions 8–11 review the evaluations that are necessary to determine
if you are eligible for a kidney transplant:
• Why should I get a kidney transplant? Am I even eligible?
• What is involved in an evaluation for kidney transplantation?
• What can I do to expedite my evaluation and move forward with
my transplant?
Part 3:Organ Allocation 17
Questions 12–15 review how organs are allocated to patients:
• I heard there is a waiting list for kidney transplants. How do I get
my name on the list?
• How are a deceased donor and recipient matched?
• How long will I need to wait for a transplant?
Part 4: Living Donor Kidney Transplantation 23
Questions 16–21 discuss the option of receiving a kidney transplant
from a living donor:
• Are there any other options for incompatible donors and recipients?
• What makes a good donor? What if my living donor doesn’t have
health insurance?
• My sister and I are being transplanted in 2 weeks. Our transplant
nurse coordinator called today to arrange for our final crossmatch next week.
Why do we have to repeat the crossmatch? We did it 3 months ago.
Part 5: Surgery 29
Questions 22–24 explore the numerous factors that make up the
surgery itself:
• How long will the kidney transplant surgery take? How long will I be
in the hospital after my kidney transplant?
• Where do they put my new kidney? Do they remove my old kidneys
when I get my transplant?
• How do they “hook up” my new kidney?
Part 6: After Transplantation 33
Questions 25–28 explain what to expect after the surgery:
• How do you determine the amount of immunosuppressive medications to
give to me?
• How long will my kidney last?
• What is the biggest challenge for the future of kidney transplantation?
Part 7: Complications 39
Questions 29–30 review common complications that may arise after you
receive a new kidney:
• What is rejection? How do I know if I am rejecting my kidney
transplant?
• What else would make the serum creatinine rise abnormally?

Section 2: Liver Transplantation 43
Part 1:The Basics 45
Questions 31–38 introduce important, basic information about the liver
and some of the conditions that can result in liver transplantation:
• What is the liver and why is it so important?
• What are the complications of cirrhosis?
• I have cirrhosis. At what point do I need to consider a liver transplant?
Part 2: Before Transplantation 59
Questions 39–45 review the evaluations that are necessary to determine
if you are eligible for a liver transplant:
• Who is a candidate for liver transplantation?
• What questions should I ask my transplant team to make sure I have
chosen the best one for me?
• What about patients with liver cancer?
Part 3:Organ Allocation 73
Questions 46–49 describe how liver transplants are organized and
where your new liver will potentially come from:
• What is the MELD score and how does it work?
• Where will my liver come from?
• Can I be evaluated and listed at more than one program? Do I have
to move there?
Part 4: Live Donor Liver Transplantation 85
Questions 50–52 discuss the option of receiving a liver transplant
from a living donor:
• What is a live donor liver transplant?
• Who can be a live liver donor? What are the risks?
• Are the results as good if I have a living donor compared with a
cadaver donor?
Part 5: Preparing for Transplantation 93
Questions 53–54 review the steps necessary to prepare for your
liver transplant:
• How do I need to prepare for transplantation?
• I’ve heard that Tylenol is dangerous for the liver. Is this true, and are
there any medications I need to avoid?
Part 6: Surgery 101
Question 55 explains the details of your liver transplant:
• How long will my liver transplant operation take?
Part 7: After Transplantation 111
Questions 56–59 explain what to expect after the transplant and how
to best maintain a healthy lifestyle after your surgery:
• What happens after I am discharged from the hospital?
• Can I drink alcohol after my transplant?
• How long will my liver last after transplantation?
Part 8: Complications 123
Questions 60–61 review common complications that can arise after
transplant surgery:
• Can my original disease recur in the new liver?
• What is acute rejection of the liver?

Section 3:Heart Transplantation 131
Part 1:The Basics 133
Questions 62–70 introduce important, basic information about the
heart and some of the conditions that can result in heart transplantation:
• What are the causes of heart failure?
• How is heart failure treated?
• What is a ventricular assist device (VAD)? When should patients
with heart failure be considered for a VAD?
Part 2: Before Transplantation 151
Questions 71–77 discuss numerous factors that can make someone
eligible for a heart transplant:
• Who is a good candidate for heart transplantation? Is there an age limit?
• What are the indications for a heart transplant? Why do I need a
heart transplant?
• What tests will I need to have before I am considered for heart
transplantation?
Part 3:Organ Allocation 167
Questions 78–81 review the process in which a heart is allocated
to a patient:
• Where does a donor heart come from?
• How many heart transplants are performed each year in the
United States?
• How does the heart transplant waiting list work? How is it prioritized?
Can I be on heart transplant waiting lists in more than one region?
Part 4: Preparing for Transplantation 175
Questions 82–84 outline how to best prepare for surgery:
• Are there special diets for patients who have congestive heart failure?
• Am I allowed to exercise before my heart transplantation?
• After I am on the heart transplant waiting list, how long will I have
to wait to receive a new heart? Will I have to wait in the hospital?
Part 5: Surgery 181
Questions 85–86 provide an overview of a heart transplant:
• How long will the heart transplantation surgery take? How long will I need to
be in the hospital after my heart transplant?
• What complications can happen after my heart transplant?
Part 6: After Transplantation 185
Questions 87–89 explain what to expect after the transplant and
how to best maintain a healthy lifestyle after your surgery:
• Will I be able to return to work after my heart transplantation?
• What is an endomyocardial biopsy? How often will I need one?
• How long do patients live after a heart transplant?
Part 7: Complications 191
Questions 90–91 discuss common complications that can arise after a
heart transplant:
• What is transplant rejection? How is it detected? How is it treated?
• Can my new transplanted heart develop blockages? What is cardiac
allograph vasculopathy?
Section 4: Medications 195
Questions 92–95 outline medication regimens recommended to
patients who have received a transplanted kidney, liver, or heart:
• Why are immunosuppressive drugs necessary?
• What are the immunosuppressive drugs?
• I thought I’d be able to stop many of the medications I took before
the transplant. Why am I still taking so many medications?
Section 5: Complications of Transplantation 217
Questions 96–100 discuss complications that may occur after transplant
surgery, as well as where to find more information regarding organ
transplantation:
• Now that I am immunosuppressed, am I susceptible to infections?
• What is chronic rejection?
• Where can I learn more about organ transplantation?
Glossary 225
Index 231