Follow-up clinic for heart transplant recipients

The follow-up clinic for heart transplant recipients offers a comprehensive multi-system service to heart transplant recipients who have undergone transplantation at Sheba or other medical centers. Our goal is to facilitate a return to a high-quality lifestyle and optimal health during the recovery period and beyond.

The follow-up is done in close collaboration between medical professionals, such as heart surgeons, heart center doctors, a nurse specialized in heart transplants, consultants in internal medicine and infectious diseases, the pathology institute where biopsies are examined during the multi-year follow-up, as well as social and psychological services tailored to each patient's needs.

How do we keep track of everything?

Follow-up frequency: in the first year after transplantation - once a week in the first month, once every two weeks in the next three months and once a month in the second six months. After that - once every three months or more, as needed.

The follow-up includes: monitoring levels of anti-rejection drugs in the blood and adjusting the dosage based on the patient's condition; prevention and management of side effects associated with compromised immune function (resulting from immunosuppressive drugs); provision of a dedicated skin clinic for transplant recipients; identification and treatment of situations of immune rejection episodes in cardiac transplant cases, including assisting in performing heart muscle biopsies and echocardiography to ensure there is no cardiac damage; assessment of the integrity and function of the blood vessels of the transplanted heart, if necessary, by catheterization of the heart blood vessels and echocardiography; identification and management of personal and interpersonal challenges arising from the medical condition to maintain an optimal quality of life.