What is meant by "bridge to transplant" in cardiac care?

"Bridge to transplant" refers specifically to a temporary support system employed for patients with advanced heart failure while they await a suitable donor heart. This approach often involves the use of devices like ventricular assist devices (VADs) that help maintain adequate circulation and organ perfusion, allowing patients to maintain their health and quality of life until they can undergo a heart transplant.

This concept is crucial in the context of cardiac care because it directly addresses the need for immediate intervention in patients with severe heart conditions who are not yet eligible for transplantation. By providing this temporary support, healthcare professionals can stabilize the patient, thus maximizing their chances of successful transplant surgery when a heart becomes available.

The other choices relate to separate aspects of cardiac care but do not define "bridge to transplant." For instance, monitoring blood flow, conducting surgical bypass procedures, and measuring heart rate, while important in their own right, do not encapsulate the idea of providing interim support in the context of waiting for an organ transplant.