Heart transplant

What is Heart Transplant Surgery?

A heart transplant is a surgical procedure in which a diseased or damaged heart is replaced with a healthy heart from a deceased donor. It is a life-saving treatment option for individuals with end-stage heart failure or severe heart disease that cannot be managed effectively with other medical treatments.

benefits of heart transplant;

• Extended Life: A heart transplant can significantly extend the life expectancy of individuals with end-stage heart failure. It offers a chance for a longer and healthier life that might not have been possible otherwise.

• Relief from Symptoms: Heart failure symptoms such as chest pain, fluid retention, and difficulty breathing can be debilitating. A heart transplant can alleviate these symptoms, allowing patients to return to more normal activities and enjoy a better overall quality of life.

• Restoration of Heart Function: A transplanted healthy heart takes over the pumping function of the weakened heart, effectively restoring normal blood circulation and oxygen delivery to the body's organs and tissues.

• Resolution of Underlying Conditions: Heart transplants can benefit individuals with genetic heart conditions, congenital heart defects, or acquired heart diseases that have failed to respond to other treatments. The transplant provides an opportunity to overcome these conditions and their associated challenges.

What are the top 5 Transplant Surgery hospitals in India?

• Manipal Hospitals

• Max Hospital

• Apollo Hospital

• Fortis Hospital

• Artemis Hospital

Pre-Transplant

• • Evaluation: The patient undergoes a comprehensive medical evaluation to determine their eligibility for a heart transplant. This evaluation includes assessing the severity of heart disease, overall health, and any other medical conditions that may affect the transplant's success.

  • Donor Selection: The patient is placed on a waiting list maintained by a national transplant registry to receive a compatible heart from a deceased donor.

  • Transplant Team: A specialized team of heart transplant specialists, including cardiologists, transplant surgeons, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals, work together to manage the patient's care and prepare for the transplant.

Transplant Procedure

• • Anesthesia: The patient is given general anesthesia to ensure they are unconscious and pain-free during the procedure.

  • Donor Heart Retrieval: The donor heart is retrieved from a deceased donor who has previously consented to organ donation.

  • Implantation: The donor heart is carefully implanted into the recipient's chest and connected to blood vessels and the remaining parts of the recipient's heart, if applicable.

  • Blood Flow Restoration: The surgeon ensures that blood flow to and from the new heart is functioning correctly.

Post-Transplant

• • Recovery: After the transplant, the patient is closely monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU) and later in a specialized transplant unit.

  • Immunosuppression: Patients receive immunosuppressive medications to prevent the body from rejecting the new heart. These medications suppress the immune system, which may lead to an increased risk of infections.

  • Hospital Stay: The length of hospital stay varies depending on the patient's condition and the success of the transplant.