Best heart transplant hospitals in mumbai​

A heart transplant needs to be performed when patients are suffering from severe heart conditions. It is a life-saving procedure that comes into play when medications or other treatments are unable to manage these conditions. A diseased or failing heart is replaced with a healthy donor heart during this process. Gleneagles Hospital is one of the best heart transplant hospitals in Mumbai​, offering highly successful transplants. We have expert cardiac surgeons and advanced treatment approaches that lead to a high heart transplant success rate.

The type of heart procedure is chosen based on the patient’s condition. These types include:

• Orthotopic Heart Transplantation This is the most common type of heart procedure. During this, a surgeon removes the diseased heart and replaces it with a donor heart.
• Heterotopic Heart Transplantation This procedure is quite rare. It is performed to support the function of the existing heart and not to replace it. So, a donor's heart is placed alongside the existing heart.
• Paediatric Heart Transplantation This surgery is conducted for children who are born with severe heart defects. These children have to undergo a specialised cardiac procedure to improve their rates of survival.

A doctor can recommend having a heart transplant in Mumbai in case the patient experiences one of the following:

• End-Stage Heart Failure End-stage heart failure is a severe condition. The heart faces difficulty pumping blood, and so, it leads to organ dysfunction within the body. Performing a cardiac transplantation procedure is usually not the first treatment route, but it is necessary when all other treatments and medications fail. It can restore normal heart function in the body.
• Cardiomyopathy Cardiomyopathy is a condition that weakens the heart muscle. It makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood efficiently and can lead to many complications. In severe cases, surgery will be required.
• Congenital Heart Defects Sometimes, people can be born with certain heart defects that can worsen over time. A transplant will have to be performed when other surgeries fail to treat these defects.
• Severe Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) A severe coronary artery disease happens when there are blockages in the coronary arteries. These blockages can limit the blood flow to the heart and lead to heart failure. The initial approach in such an instance is to conduct bypass surgery or stents. However, in case those are ineffective, a heart transplant procedure can restore the proper blood flow in the body.
• Recurrent Arrhythmias Recurrent arrhythmias are when the heart has multiple episodes of irregular beating. There are many treatment options for this condition, such as medications, lifestyle changes, and other surgeries. However, heart surgery is essential if the heart does not respond to these treatments.

The most critical benefit is that it can completely restore the heart's ability to pump blood. This helps all organs receive proper oxygen and nutrients. People begin to notice significant improvements in their stamina and are able to carry out their daily activities without difficulty.

The medical field has advanced greatly over the past few years. This has introduced many new effective treatment methods and improved the chances of a successful procedure. Modern drugs and procedures have minimised the risks and complications that were present earlier.

The ability to enjoy daily life dramatically improves after this. Patients regain the strength to go back to work, and the mental toll of a chronic heart disease also reduces. The dependency on medications is often lower. Patients will still require certain medications post-surgery but the burden becomes much lesser.

There are multiple evaluations and preparations that need to take place before undergoing heart transplant surgery in Mumbai. These are:

Medical Evaluation: A patient’s body needs to be strong enough to undergo and benefit from a complex procedure like this. Doctors can determine overall health by conducting a thorough assessment through blood tests and imaging scans. 

Psychological and Emotional Assessment: This procedure is life-altering and a patient has to have a strong support system, along with the mental readiness for it. People can experience anxiety or depression caused by the stress related to the surgery. 

Organ Matching: The donor's heart is matched to the patient through various factors. These factors include blood type, body size, tissue compatibility, and the urgency of the condition. Other factors, such as antibody level, can also affect the risk of rejection. 

Lifestyle Modifications: It is important to make adjustments to one’s lifestyle so the transplant can be as beneficial as possible. Any medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure will have to be managed. The patient will also be advised to quit smoking and maintain a heart-healthy diet. 

Pre-Surgical Instructions: A set of guidelines will be given by the doctor before the beginning of the procedure. Certain medications may have to be stopped in case they could interfere with the surgery. The patient will also have to fast for a few hours before the procedure.

Heart transplant surgery in Mumbai is an elaborate process that has many steps within it. These are:

Incision and Removal of the Diseased Heart: A large incision is made in the chest after anaesthesia is given. This incision is usually made through a sternotomy. The patient is placed on a heart-lung bypass machine during this to maintain blood circulation. The failing heart is then carefully removed while preserving all major blood vessels. 

Donor Heart Placement: Once the failing heart has been removed, the healthy donor heart is positioned in the chest cavity. It is meticulously connected to the patient’s major blood vessels. Making sure that the anatomical alignment is proper is crucial at this step. 

Restoration of Blood Flow: The heart-lung bypass machine is slowly removed to restore circulation in the body. Usually, the heart begins beating on its own. However, mild electrical stimulation may be required to begin normal functioning again. 

Closure and Recovery: The chest is closed using sutures of wires, and the patient is transferred to the ICU. Close monitoring is done in the ICU, where vital signs and any symptoms of possible rejection are observed.

The entire heart transplant surgical procedure takes about 4-6 hours. The period of recovery can depend on the condition of every patient.

Strict instructions will need to be followed for proper healing after the procedure. Post-operative care is extremely important for the success of the procedure. These are some guidelines:

- A hospital stay for about 10-14 days after the surgery will be required to monitor the vital signs of the patient. 

- The patient will be prescribed lifelong immunosuppressants to prevent the immune system from attacking the new heart. Other medications may be given for issues such as managing blood pressure. 

- The patient will have to go in for frequent follow-up appointments after the surgery. The doctor will conduct tests such as echocardiograms and biopsies during this and adjust medications accordingly. 

The success rate can improve significantly by taking proper post-operative care.

While the procedure has a high chance of success, some risks are present.

• It is possible for the immune system of the body to attack the new heart that has been transplanted.
• Immunosuppressant medications can create a higher risk of infections.
• Bleeding or blood clots can occur during the procedure.
• Kidney function may be affected due to the medications used post-transplant.

Gleneagles Hospital has built a reputation as one of the best heart transplant hospitals in Mumbai​. We have a highly skilled team of heart doctors and surgeons with years of experience. These procedures make use of our modern equipment along with the latest technology.

Our team at Gleneagles showcases the expertise through an excellent track record of successful heart transplantations. We’re dedicated to bringing about the best patient outcomes while being compassionate. You can visit your nearest Gleneagles hospital or contact us.