Getting Here

A document in which a person either states choices for medical treatment or designates someone who should make treatment choices if the person should become unable to make decisions. Most often the term refers to formal, written documents, but it can also be used to include spoken statements by the patient.

An organ or tissue transplanted from one individual to another of the same species, i.e. human to human.

A protein substance made by the body's immune system in response to a foreign substance, for example a previous transplant, blood transfusion or pregnancy. Because the antibodies attack the transplanted organ, heart transplantation patients must take powerful immunosuppressive drugs.

A foreign molecule or substance, such as a transplant, that triggers an immune response. This response may be the production of antibodies.

A drug that reduces hypertension (high blood pressure).

A disease in which fatty deposits accumulate on the inner walls of the arteries, causing narrowing or blockage that may result in a heart attack. Commonly known as "hardening of the arteries."

The removal of a sample of tissue via a small needle. The tissue is removed for examination to determine a diagnosis.

A test that can help establish compatibility between two different types of blood. Blood types include A, B, AB or O.

A waste product regularly removed by the kidneys and eliminated in the urine. Regular testing of the BUN level serves as an indicator of how well the kidney is functioning.