Nutritional management of the heart transplant recipient.

From July 1982 through February 1985, 52 patients underwent an orthotopic heart transplantation at the Texas Heart Institute. Immunosuppressive therapy consisted of cyclosporine and corticosteroids. Compromised preoperative nutritional status did not preclude acceptance into the heart transplant program. However, nutritional assessment provided a means of identifying patients who may benefit from preoperative nutritional support. The goal of postoperative nutritional therapy was to provide adequate nutrients to promote rapid wound healing and minimize complications associated with suboptimal nutritional status.