Cardiomyopathy literally means “heart muscle disease”. It is the deterioration of the function of the myocardium (i.e., the actual heart muscle) for any reason.

Domino transplants. This operation is sometimes performed with cystic fibrosis patients and others who need both lungs replaced. Until fairly recently, it was a technically easier operation to replace the heart and lungs en bloc: as the first recipient’s native heart is often healthy, this heart can sometimes then be transplanted into someone else. The technique was pioneered at Harefield. Sometimes, as Lorraine’s case, people actually meet the person who received their heart.

ITU = Intensive Treatment Unit, where patients are taken immediately after surgery.

VAD = Ventricular Assist Device, a mechanical device that is used to partially or completely replace the function of a failing heart. The devices are generally designed to replace or assist cardiac function temporarily, but recently devices are becoming available that can be implanted permanently.

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