Brandon - Both your reasons are somewhat correct, but also, the chances of someone over the age of 70 fully recovering from a huge surgery like that are slim.
cat lady - Actually its a combination of the two. An older person is less likely to be able to withstand the stress of surgery as well as recovery. They also almost always have other tissue damage like liver and kidney. The antirejection drugs are very powerful and can cause liver or kidney failure resulting in need for dialysis or another transplant. Because of these complications most Dr.s feel the organ would better serve a person who is younger and can handle the physical stress better as well as the antirejection meds. As an ex Trauma nurse I was involved in many transplant procurements (getting the organs). We would get a letter back giving a little info on who received the organ and why. You are right though. Most were for younger patients.
Is it because their bodies don't respond to it as well?
Brandon - Both your reasons are somewhat correct, but also, the chances of someone over the age of 70 fully recovering from a huge surgery like that are slim.
ReplyDeletecat lady - Actually its a combination of the two. An older person is less likely to be able to withstand the stress of surgery as well as recovery. They also almost always have other tissue damage like liver and kidney. The antirejection drugs are very powerful and can cause liver or kidney failure resulting in need for dialysis or another transplant. Because of these complications most Dr.s feel the organ would better serve a person who is younger and can handle the physical stress better as well as the antirejection meds. As an ex Trauma nurse I was involved in many transplant procurements (getting the organs). We would get a letter back giving a little info on who received the organ and why. You are right though. Most were for younger patients.
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