EXPLORING CHALLENGES OF LIVING AFTER HEART TRANSPLANTATION IN HEART RECIPIENTS IN IRAN

Introduction: In spite of improvement in quality of life after heart transplantation, this procedure can cause some new challenges and problems for heart recipients. Identifying these problems can help to the increasing numbers of these patients. This study was done with the aim of exploring challenges of living after heart transplantation in Iranian heart recipients. Materials and Methods: This study was done with content analyzing approach. We used purposive sampling methods with 12 heart transplant recipients that were referred to one of the active heart transplantation hospitals in Tehran. We used semi-structured interview until data saturation ensured. All interviews was recorded and transcript verbatim and analyzed with deductive content analysis method. Results: Three major themes emerged form data analysis, which explore challenges of living with transplanted heart.Meaningly, these themes were “buckle with post-transplant issues” with four category: derangement in personal functions, difficulty of follow up treatment, transplantation complications and being under pressure of drugs, “Continuing family involvement” with three category: psychological tension, financial hardship and physical consequences and “interaction with donor and their family” with two category: engagement with donor and new relationship with donor family that depicted full challenges life after heart transplantation. Conclusion: Findings of this study showed that heart transplant recipients in Iran experiences few challenges related to their personal life, about their families and about donor and donor's family that necessitate giving support and counseling from health care providers. Keywords: Heart Failure, Heart transplantation, Quality of Life, Qualitative Research