Heart Transplant Flashcards
What are major concerns associated with heart transplants?
Under what circumstances can a driver who has a heart transplant be certified?
-Asymptomatic
-tolerates medication
-clearance from cardiovascular specialist
-no signs or symptoms of transplant rejection
What is the recommended waiting period for a driver with a heart transplant?
One year
Under what circumstances can a driver who has a heart transplant ineligible to be certified?
-If you feel a medical condition endangers the health and/or safety of the driver or the public
What is the maximum certification period for a driver with a heart transplant?
Six months
What criteria must a driver with a heart transplant meet in order to be certified? For how long can the driver be certified?
-Must be at least one year post transplant (must have completed a one-year waiting period))
-asymptomatic
-tolerates medications
-clearance from cardiovascular specialist
-no signs or symptoms of transplant rejection
Driver certified for maximum of six months.
What are the criteria for recertification of a heart transplant patient?
-Exam every six months by an expert in transplant medicine who also understands demands of a commercial motor vehicle driver
-specialist must evaluate for possibility of atherosclerosis, status of the transferring, and driver’s general health
What are two major concerns in a driver who has had a heart transplant?
-Transplant rejection
-post transplant atherosclerosis
What are signs and symptoms of transplant rejection?
-Organ is not functioning properly
-general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling
-symptoms of heart failure
-pain or swelling in the location of the organ (rare)
-fever (rare)
-dyspnea
What are symptoms of heart failure?
-Dyspnea
-cough
-edema in feet and ankles
-edema of abdomen
-weight gain
-a regular or rapid pulse
-palpitations
-difficulty sleeping
-fatigue, weakness, faintness
-loss of appetite, indigestion
