Lived experiences of persons with heart transplantation: A systematic literature review and meta-synthesis

Background: Heart transplantation (HT) recipients often report improved quality of life and increased overall happiness, viewing the transplantation as a rebirth and a second chance at life. However, interpretations of normality vary among individuals. Understanding patients' and caregivers' experiences in depth is crucial to adjust clinical care paths and avoid complications. Objective: To examine the experiences of patients and caregivers after cardiac transplantation. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was performed from January 1, 2013, to September 30, 2023, using the MEDLINE (PubMed), CINHAL (EBSCO), SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Embase (OVID) databases. Full-text, primary qualitative articles written in English, which reported patients' experiences of daily life after HT, were included. Results: The search yielded 5,114 articles; 13 articles that fully met the inclusion criteria were selected for extraction and synthesis. The inductive approach led to the identification of 28 codes, which were then grouped into seven categories and three themes: 1) Undergoing an emotionally charged journey, 2) Balancing personal health and social dynamics, and 3) Fostering existential reflection. Conclusions: This review underscores the importance of further research and the development of a standardized assessment framework for post-HT patients, emphasizing the need to consider not just clinical factors but also psychological and personal aspects to improve outcomes and quality of life. Additionally, the review identified a lack of comprehensive information about the experiences of caregivers, highlighting the need for further studies to better understand and support their roles in the post-transplant journey.