[Psychological aspects of heart transplantation]

The aim of our work was to stress the role of some psychologic and psychosocial factors participating significantly in the emotional experiencing, in the period before and after heart transplantation, respectively. The uniqueness of the patients personality is emphasized with the aim to sensitively and competently help them to improve their experiencing and quality of life. The author tried to acquaint the general health public with various approaches to this very complex problem. Main interest was focused on the predictors of successful heart transplantation, the criteria and contraindications of HTx, the waiting period for transplantation. The problems of depression, anxiety, denial, noncompliance and the selection of appropriate coping mechanisms--which are the most frequently occurring psychological factors directly influencing the behaviour and experiencing of the patient--HTx candidate were presented. In conclusion specific problems of HTx (the approach to the patient when informing him about the necessity of HTx and the relations of patients with the donor family) are discussed. (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 34.)