Division of Cardiology, Cedars Sinai Heart Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
J Relig Health. 2011 Sep;50(3):564-74. doi: 10.1007/s10943-009-9284-4.
Heart transplantation is performed on approximately 4,000 patients per year worldwide and is considered the last resort for treatment of end-stage heart diseases. Due to persistent organ shortage, resources are limited, waiting periods are extensive, and patients still die while being on a waiting list for transplantation. The role of all churches and the support of the representatives of the churches are critical for the spiritual wellbeing of patients awaiting heart transplantation as well as for prospective individual organ donors and their families. The supportive role of the Roman Catholic Church and the recent statement of Pope Benedict XVI on organ donation are discussed.
全球每年约有 4000 例心脏移植手术，被认为是治疗晚期心脏病的最后手段。由于持续的器官短缺，资源有限，等待时间长，仍有患者在等待移植时死亡。所有教堂的作用和教堂代表的支持对于等待心脏移植的患者的精神健康以及潜在的个体器官捐献者及其家属都是至关重要的。讨论了罗马天主教会的支持作用以及教皇本笃十六世最近关于器官捐赠的声明。
