["Take this heart away!": from fear of rejection to post-transplant delirium]

Rev Med Liege. 2002 Jun;57(6):389-92.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Orthotopic heart transplantation is a major surgical intervention inducing conscious and unconscious psychological distress. Though all reports indicated global improvement of quality of life from pre- to post-transplantation, most retrospective and longitudinal studies found a high prevalence of psychopathology before and after surgery. Post-operative acute psychotic disorders are uncommon but they severely hamper the medical progress and require an immediate psychiatric assistance. The case of Pascal, a young receiver who presented a brief persecution delusional disorder after the first transplantation, showed the dramatic character of such unexpected symptoms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Delirium / etiology
  • Delirium / psychology*
  • Delusions
  • Graft Rejection
  • Heart Transplantation / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Mental Health
  • Patient Selection
  • Psychotic Disorders*