Background:

For patients with severe heart disease, may heart transplantation be the only opportunity for survival. Previous research highlights the importance of the nurse's role as supporters and knowledge brokers. People who has undergone heart transplant may be changed forever. Having to undergo a heart transplant can lead to that patients end up in a traumatic crisis. People's perception of herself and her perception of the world is also changing when the body is injured or suffers a disease. Aim: The aim of this study is to elucidate patients' experiences of living with a new heart, and to focus on the coping strategies used by patients to manage their new situation. Method: A literature review was chosen as the method. The 12 items used in the study have been based on studies of seven qualitative and five quantitative approaches. Articles were published after year 1995. Results: Two main categories emerged from the analysis: Patients' experiences of living with someone else's heart, and patients' coping strategies to deal with the new heart. The most important results were about emotional turmoil, changes in health, psychological adjustment and defense mechanisms. Conclusion: To have received a new heart gives different experiences. It is important that the nurse has knowledge and understanding of these individual experiences that patients can feel.