Heart transplantation. Long-term management related to immunosuppression, complications, and psychosocial adjustments.

Commendable long-term care of cardiac transplant recipients begins with excellent discharge preparation. Routine follow-up allows for prompt detection of myriad problems commonly associated with long-term survival after transplantation. Long-term complications, including rejection, infection, hypertension, nephrotoxicity, osteoporosis, malignancy, diabetes, AGA, and psychosocial difficulties present unique challenges. Nursing care from the bedside, outpatient center, and home care has risen to the challenge and now must be active in the development of new strategies to maximize prevention of these many potential complications.