Heart Surgery Hospital in Mumbai

A heart transplant is not just a normal medical procedure; it is a second chance at life for those who are suffering from serious heart diseases and failures. In this article, we will discuss the heart transplant procedure from the best heart surgery hospital in Mumbai​, Gleneagles Hospitals, and uncover the complete process from pre-transplant to risk and complications.  

A heart transplant procedure, also known as cardiac transplantation, is a surgical procedure which includes replacing a patient’s impaired heart with a healthy donor heart. The procedure is considered suitable for patients with chronic or end-stage heart failure, where other procedures or treatments like medications and surgeries fail to offer positive outcomes.

Although a heart transplant is a highly effective and successful treatment, performing this requires the finest care and medical planning with years of expertise. This is where Gleneagles Hospitals comes into the picture, a premier hospital equipped with all these components for a successful heart transplantation.

Based on the technique and approach of replacing the heart, Heart transplant surgery can be classified into two types. These two types are:

• Orthotopic Heart Transplant: An Orthotopic Heart Transplant is the most common type of heart transplant surgical procedure. During this procedure, the diseased heart of the recipient is removed entirely and replaced by a healthy donor's heart. The donor's heart is implanted in the same position as the original heart of the recipient, which performs all the heart functions properly.
• Heterotopic Heart Transplant: The recipient's heart is not removed in a Heterotopic Heart Transplant. Rather, the donor's heart is placed beside the native heart. The two hearts complement each other to circulate blood. This is done in patients where the patient's heart is able to work but with the assistance of an aid or as a temporary measure.

A heart transplant is done when medications, surgeries, or any other interventions fail to improve heart functions and, hence, enhance the quality of life of the heart. However, It must be noted that not all heart ailments qualify for a heart transplant; it is generally recommended for patients who are suffering from serious forms of different heart conditions, which include:

• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): It is a condition in which the coronary arteries of the heart become narrowed or blocked, resulting in lower blood flow to the heart, eventually leading to heart failure.
• Heart Valve Disease: Heart Valve Disease is the damage of one or more valves of the heart, which can also lead to problems related to blood flow, which leads to heart failure beyond repair.  
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy: It is the enlargement and weakening of the heart, which results in lower efficiency in pumping blood.
• Refractory Arrhythmias: Arrhythmias is a condition characterised by irregular heartbeat, which sometimes becomes difficult to treat with normal procedures and medications; in these situations, a heart transplant becomes a must.
• Congenital Heart Disease: Heart defects that are present since birth are known as congenital heart disease. These conditions can significantly affect the function of the heart, and heart transplantation surgery becomes the only option to deal with it. 

Preparation for a Heart Transplant Surgical procedure is crucial to ensure a successful transplant and prepare the patient not only physically but also mentally. Here is the checklist of the things you can expect before the crucial day:

• Medical Evaluation: Whether a patient needs a heart transplant or not is decided only after a thorough medical evaluation, which includes various tests such as physical exams, blood tests, imaging tests, and, most importantly, cardiac catheterisation.
• Listing on the transplant registry: Once recommended for a heart transplant in Mumbai, the patient needs to register himself/herself to the national organ transplant list to get on the waitlist for the transplant.
• Waiting for Donor: Waiting for a donor is the most important step in preparing for cardiac transplantation. The donor's heart is typically obtained from a recently deceased person. The donor's heart must meet several criteria, such as a blood group match and being free from any serious illness like cancer.
• Lifestyle Changes: Before the heart transplant, your healthcare provider may suggest some required changes that will help to improve health and, hence, also positively impact the outcome of the surgery. These changes include lifestyle changes, exercises, and medications or other consumables. 

The heart transplant surgical procedure​ is a complex, open-heart surgery that typically lasts for several hours. The following is a step-by-step explanation of the surgery:

• Anaesthesia: Anaesthesia is the main component of almost every type of surgery. In open heart surgery, general anaesthesia is given to the patient so that they remain unconscious and pain-free throughout the procedure.
• Heart-Lung Bypass: A heart-lung machine is attached to the patient to temporarily take over the work of the heart and lungs so that oxygenated blood keeps circulating through the body.
• Incision and Chest Opening: The surgeon opens the chest with a big incision and splits the breastbone (sternum) to reach the heart. The rib cage is opened to give complete access to the heart.
• Removal of Diseased Heart: The diseased heart is removed with care, leaving the large blood vessels intact for connection to the donor heart.
• Positioning the Donor Heart: The donor's heart is stitched in position, and the large blood vessels are delicately attached to the donor's heart. The circulation of blood is resumed, and the donor heart will frequently start beating on its own.
• Resuscitation of Heart Rhythm: An electric shock (defibrillation) may, in certain instances, induce the donor heart to begin beating normally.

The recovery time after a heart transplant surgery in Mumbai can vary depending on various factors, with the average time of recovery being 1 to 2 weeks in the ICU. The time spent in the hospital after the surgery depends upon an individual’s condition. During this, patients are thoroughly monitored with complete and finest care to detect any sign complications like increased heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels and kidney functions are monitored during this period.

Pain medications are given to help manage any discomfort at the site of incision or any other areas of the chest. Apart from pain medications, patients are prescribed immunosuppressive drugs to prevent the rejection of the new heart by the immune system. The patients will also be monitored for any side effects from these medicines or infections and elevated blood pressure. 

While heart transplants are considered safe, they come with certain risks and complications that patients need to know about:

• Rejection of the Donor Heart: Rejection of the donor's heart from the recipient's immune system is the biggest threat connected with this surgery. The immune system attacks any foreign element in the body, becoming a problem in transplantation surgeries. To deal with this problem, patients are given immunosuppressive drugs to minimise this risk, but these medicines are taken on a long-term basis.
• Infection: Regularly using immunosuppressive medicines makes patients more prone to infections that can occur on the site of surgery and even any other organ.
• Blood Clots: In some cases, blood clots can be formed after the surgery, which has the potential to cause other complications like stroke or organ failure. In such conditions, anticoagulants are prescribed to reduce this risk.
• Kidney or Liver Dysfunction: Aftercare medication or complications related to these medications can significantly affect the kidneys or liver, which must be monitored carefully. 

When considering a complex surgery like a heart transplant in Mumbai, choosing the best heart transplant hospital in Mumbai, like Gleneagles Hospital, with world-class facilities, becomes crucial. Here are some reasons why the hospital has been the most trusted choice among cardiac patients considering a heart transplant:

• High Success Rate: The hospital has the highest heart transplant success rate among different best heart transplant hospitals in Mumbai​, with 85 out of 100 patients giving positive outcomes.
• World Class Facility: Gleneagles has been a pioneer in using advanced tools and facilities of international standards.
• Expert Surgeons: The hospital is the home of some of the top cardiologists and surgeons with years of experience.
• Multidisciplinary Approach: A complex surgery like a cardiac transplant needs a multidisciplinary approach, of which the Gleneagles are experts.