Postoperative Transplant Immunosuppression in the Critical Care Unit

Solid organ transplant is a growing treatment option for many end-stage diseases. Kidney, liver, pancreas, small bowel, heart, and lung organs are all transplanted in the United States, and a registry is maintained through the United Network for Organ Sharing (http://www.unos.org). The type of organ transplanted determines postoperative care of the patient and requirement for immediate care in a critical care setting. In most transplant centers, recipients of kidney transplants will receive postoperative care in an acute care floor, unless hemodynamic compromise during surgery is a concern or high acuity nursing care is unavailable in a step-down unit. All other transplant recipients will receive postoperative care in an intensive care unit (ICU) as a standard of care, which accommodates invasive monitoring strategies, the use of medication drips, intensive nursing care, and hemodynamic support.

Patients undergoing solid organ transplant require immediate suppression...