Heart Transplant in Chennai

Every year, millions of people are diagnosed with heart issues ranging from minor heart problems to last-stage heart failures. For patients suffering from end-stage heart disease or a severe heart issue, a heart transplant surgery is life-saving. We will discuss every detail of heart surgery so that you can create a better understanding of your heart transplant process.

Getting your heart surgery done from a renowned healthcare facility, such as Gleneagles Hospital in Chennai, can increase the chances of having a successful Heart Transplant Chennai and enhance your overall treatment experience.

The human heart is the most vital organ of the human body. It is responsible for pumping blood rich in oxygen in the entire body. Even a small problem in the heart can cause major health issues to the patient. In cases where the heart is no longer functioning properly or is severely damaged, the person can reach a life-threatening stage. Here, heart transplant surgery is the most viable option for saving the life of the patient and improving their quality of life. But, with the benefits, there are a few things that are equally important and should be kept in mind. These include other associated factors such as risk, success rates, getting the right donor, and choosing the right hospital for your surgery. It makes Gleneagles the viable choice for the Heart Transplant procedure in Chennai.

A heart transplant is a treatment for advanced heart failure. In this procedure, a heart unable to function properly is replaced with a healthy heart from a donor. It is usually recommended when all other options fail to provide any results, or the damage is done beyond the limit of being treated. A heart transplant surgery is usually the last option for anyone who is in the end-stage of heart damage or is suffering from coronary heart disease. A thorough analysis of both the patient and the donor has to be done before the procedure starts. A donor has to be declared brain-dead before listing. An overall health checkup of the patient has to be done to ensure that the recipient is otherwise healthy enough to have a heart transplant surgery done.

Not every heart patient is suggested for a heart transplant. If the cardiac specialist sees that your condition can be improved using other methods like medication and lifestyle changes, then a heart transplant in Chennai would not be recommended to you. Some of the conditions that necessitate a heart transplant surgery include:

• End Stage Heart Failure: When the heart is unable to pump blood effectively to the body despite continuous medical intervention and other therapy options, a heart transplant surgery becomes the only viable option left for the patient.
• Cardiomyopathy: This is a hereditary heart condition that mainly affects the muscles of the heart and makes the pumping procedure difficult for the heart. The symptoms of cardiomyopathy include breathlessness and swelling in the legs and feet. It can be treated through medication or a minor surgery. But, in severe cases, a transplant has to be performed.
• Congenital Heart Defects: A heart defect that a child is born with is known as a congenital heart defect. It is the most common type of birth defect that is observed in children. The symptoms of congenital heart defects include blue-tinted skin, breathlessness, or feeding issues. It can be treated with proper medication or a catheterisation process. Serious cases require transplant.
• Valve Disease: A heart valve disease is diagnosed when one or more of the four valves in the heart is either damaged or is not able to function properly. This hinders the opening and closing of the valves for the proper flow of blood. The symptoms include angina (chest pain) and heart palpitations. The treatment for a valve disease depends on the severity of the case. A cardiologist would suggest suitable medication to prevent the worsening of the condition.
• Coronary Artery Disease: This is the blockage of the arteries due to the formation of blood clots. In case the plaque buildup in the artery cannot be treated with an angioplasty or surgery, a heart transplant is suggested to the person.
• Severe Arrhythmias: A heart transplant is a beneficial option for patients with severe arrhythmias, and the irregularities in their heartbeat are not treatable using medication or a pacemaker. 

There are multiple stages in the heart transplant surgery.

• Evaluation & Waiting List: An extensive evaluation of the patient has to be done to ensure that a transplant is the only option left. Once the heart function tests and other medical and physiological assessments are done, the patient's name is put up on the transplant waiting list.
• Finding a donor: Certain factors, such as body size, blood type, and tissue compatibility, must be checked properly before matching the donor with the recipient. When a donor heart is available, the waiting list is checked to find the best possible match. If two recipients are a perfect match, the one whose condition is more severe is considered.
• Preparation: Once a suitable donor is found for the transplant, the patient is informed of the surgery date. For the preparation of the operation, the patient's food and water intake would be stopped a few hours before the surgery, and the required medication and pre-operative tests.
• Surgery: For the surgery, the patient is given general anaesthesia. Once the patient is unconscious, the surgery begins. Incisions are made to remove the failing heart without damaging the blood vessels. The donor's heart is then inserted meticulously in place and connected with the blood vessels.
• Rehabilitation: The procedure takes around 4 to 6 hours, followed by an ICU stay and an intensive recovery period. Rehabilitation duration includes regular monitoring using biopsies and taking proper medication and physical therapy to prevent organ rejection. 

The success rates of the Heart Transplant procedure in Chennai are different for everyone. Generally, around 91% of the people who undergo a heart transplant live at least one year after the transplant. 80% live for about five years. Age, overall health, and post-transplant care can further affect success rates.

Some of the risks and challenges of a heart transplant include:

• Organ Rejection: There are chances that the immune system would attack the donor heart that is being transplanted in the patient, considering it a foreign object. Patients might be required to take lifelong immunosuppressives to avoid organ rejection.
• Infections: The immunosuppression medication can weaken the immune system of the patient which can result in catching infections quickly.
• Availability of Donor: One of the biggest challenges of a heart transplant is the shortage of heart donors. This makes the waiting period extremely long, posing risks to the life of the heart patient.
• Physiological and Emotional Aspects: A heart transplant is a complicated procedure with its own set of backlashes. The patient should focus on strengthening the physiological and emotional aspects for a better recovery. 

The recovery period of a heart transplant is a very crucial part of the treatment. The recipient has to take medications his entire life for the proper functioning of the organ. Lifestyle changes also have to be adopted.

• Immediate Post Surgery Care: The patient must be kept in the ICU for a few days for monitoring. Medication is provided for speedy recovery, and frequent biopsies are required to test heart function.
• Long-Term Care: Lifestyle changes must be incorporated, and immunosuppressives must be taken long-term. Regular follow-ups will help ensure the proper functioning of the transplanted heart. 

Gleneagles Hospital is one of the best heart transplant centres in Chennai and provides the finest level of care with a specialisation in heart transplant surgery. A few reasons that make Gleneagles Hospital the best heart transplant centre in Chennai include:

• Expert Cardiologists
• Advanced Operational Technology
• High Success Rates
• Comprehensive Care
• Patient-Centric Treatment Approach
• Affordable Heart Transplant Cost in Chennai

If you are looking for a renowned heart hospital for you or your loved one to get a heart transplant in Chennai, then Gleneagles Hospital is the best facility, with high success rates and cutting-edge medical facilities.