OBJECTIVE: For patients with heart failure, heart transplantation represents the possibility of survival and improvement in their quality of life. Thus, the awareness and participation of patients in the follow-up work by the healthcare team after transplantation are important. This study aimed at understanding the experience of heart transplantation based on the description of patients. METHODS: Twenty male and six females patients, whose ages ranged from 13 to 71 years old, were interviewed. The similarities of their accounts illustrated shared feelings which described their experiences. RESULTS: The patients re-experienced the transplantation phases and compared heart failure symptoms with the improvement achieved after transplantation. Some felt healthy whereas others reported the persistence of rejection and complications as well as the onset of other pathologies. However, all of them noted the improvement in their quality of life. Each one brought his own views concerning the experience itself, their relatives and the professionals who participated in their experience. They expressed their expectations regarding work and family achievements. CONCLUSION: The contribution from this descriptive study lies in unveiling new perspectives of understanding such patients' needs, thus helping professionals who assist them to respond more effectively to their individuals necessities.
Heart transplantation; Quality of life; Adaptation
