What Is Heart Transplant Surgery and When Is It Needed?
A heart transplant is a major surgical operation in which a diseased or failing heart is removed and replaced with a healthy heart from a donor. This surgery is often done when someone has end-stage heart failure that cannot be improved with other treatments such as medications, devices, or less invasive surgeries, and their condition seriously limits survival or quality of life.
Because the procedure requires a matching donor heart and complex coordination, only people with severe heart disease and who are otherwise healthy enough for surgery are selected for a transplant. After the new heart is placed, patients must take medicines for the rest of their lives to prevent the body from rejecting the donor heart.
Purpose & Benefits of Heart Transplant
A heart transplant is done to give a new chance at life and better heart function for people with severe heart failure.
· Extends survival: For patients without other treatment options, a transplant can significantly lengthen life.
· Improves energy and daily function: Many patients feel stronger and are able to do more everyday activities.
· Better quality of life: After recovery, many recipients return to work, exercise, and enjoy social life.
· Relieves symptoms: Transplant can reduce symptoms like severe fatigue, difficulty breathing, and fluid buildup caused by heart failure.
· Long-term outlook: Survival rates after heart transplant have improved over time, with many patients living many years with good heart function.
Who May Benefit from a Heart Transplant?
Heart transplant may be recommended when:
· You have end-stage heart failure that does not respond to other treatments.
· Severe symptoms persist despite maximum medical management.
· You are otherwise healthy enough to undergo major surgery and lifelong medical therapy.
· Your heart function is very poor and your doctor believes a transplant could improve survival and quality of life.
Doctors carefully evaluate your overall health, organ function, and candidacy before placing you on a transplant waiting list.
Heart Transplant Treatment Process
1. Pre-Transplant Evaluation: Tests are done to see if you are healthy enough for surgery. This includes heart imaging, blood tests, and screening for other medical problems.
2. Waiting for a Donor Heart: You are placed on a national or regional transplant list. A donor heart is matched based on blood type, body size, and other medical factors.
3. Surgery: Under general anaesthesia, your diseased heart is removed and a donor heart is put in place. A machine supports your circulation during surgery. The new heart is connected to your major blood vessels so it can begin working.
4. Recovery in Hospital: After surgery, you will stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) for monitoring and recovery, often for about 1–3 weeks total in the hospital.
5. Long-Term Care: You will take immune-suppression medicines for life to prevent your body from rejecting the donor heart and have regular follow-up visits.
Duration & Setting
Heart transplant surgery is done in a hospital with a transplant program by a team of specialists.
· The operation itself can take many hours (often 4–10 hours or more).
· Hospital stay is typically at least 10–21 days, including time in ICU.
· Full recovery as for returning to normal activities and rehabilitation may take several months.
Safety, Precautions & Risks
A heart transplant is complex and has risks, but many patients benefit significantly when selected appropriately. Common and important considerations include:
Common or expected risks:
· Organ rejection: Your immune system may try to attack the new heart.
· Infection: Due to immune-suppressing medicines, infections are more likely.
· Bleeding and clotting complications.
· Side effects from long-term immunosuppressants such as high blood pressure, kidney problems, or increased cancer risk.
· Graft failure or cardiac allograft vasculopathy, a chronic narrowing of heart vessels.
Doctors monitor you closely after surgery to catch and treat problems early and help maintain good heart function.
Dr. Vishal Khullar
Dr. Vishal Khullar
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
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Cardiothoracic SurgeonDr. Vishal Khullar is one of best Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeons in Mumbai. He is the Director of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Heart & Lung Transplantation, and Mechanical Circulatory Support at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital in Mumbai, India. He holds the position of senior associate consultant at Mayo Clinic Rochester, USA and is an integral member of the Transplant selection committee for donors and recipients. With over 30+ years of experience, he can perform complex surgical procedures such as Heart and Lung Transplant surgery, Heart bypass surgery, Valve replacement surgery, and other surgeries with exceptional outcomes. Website: https://drvishalkhullar.com/
Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital,, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, 400056
- Mumbai, Maharashtra
- DocIndia Verified
- 3000
- Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital
Dr. Yashoda Ravi
MBBS, MD - General Medicine, MRCP (UK)
Family Medicine
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Family MedicineDr. Yashoda Ravi is a Doctor in Cunningham Road, Bangalore and has an experience of 10 years in this field. Dr. Yashoda Ravi practices at Fortis Hospital in Cunningham Road, Bangalore. She completed MBBS from J.S.S Medical College, Mysore in 1993,MD - General Medicine from Command Hospital Air Force, Bangalore in 1999 and MRCP (UK) from Royal College Of Physician, London in 2008. She is a member of Member of British society of Cardiology,Member of British society of Cardiac Magnetic resonance imaging,Member of Royal college of Physician –London and Member of British society of Echocardiography. Some of the services provided by the doctor are: Heart Transplant,Cardiac Ablation,Pacemaker Implantation,Ergometric test and Ventricular Septal Defect Surgery etc.
14, Cunningham Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, 560051
- Bengaluru, Karnataka
- DocIndia Verified
- 1 Award
- 800
- Fortis Hospital
Dr. Amit Singh
Consulting Cardiologist & Heart Failure Specialist
Cardiology
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CardiologyInterventional Cardiology
Preventive Medicine
Trained in Cardiology & Medicine from one the finest & prestigious institute in the country I.e. Seth G.S. Medical College, Mumbai. Also, Fully certified in Heart Failure by European Society of Cardiology. Also, Certified in interventional cardiology by European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI).
12th floor, Shagun Insignia building, Shagun Corner, Sector 19, Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, 410206
Dr. Amit Singh
Consultant Cardiologist & Heart Failure Specialist
Cardiology
Interventional Cardiology
Pediatric Cardiology
I'm Dr. Amit Singh, a Consultant Cardiologist and Advanced Heart Failure Specialist. With a background in medicine, I have dedicated my career to providing exceptional cardiac care and promoting heart health. Having undergone rigorous training at one of the best and most prestigious institutes in the country, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to my practice. My qualifications include an M.D. and a D.M. in Cardiology, equipping me with the necessary skills to diagnose and treat a wide range of cardiovascular conditions. While I am dedicated to providing excellent patient care, my true passion lies in the prevention of cardiac diseases, especially among Indian youths.
Thane - Belapur Rd, opp. Kopar Khairane Ghansoli Station Road, next to Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City, Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City,, MIDC Industrial Area, Kopar Khairane, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, 400710
Dr. Haresh Mehta
MBBS, MD - General Medicine, DNB - Cardiology
Cardiology
Raheja Rugnalaya Marg., Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Dr. Vijay Kohli
MBBS, MS - General Surgery, MCh - Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
CH Baktawar Singh Road, Gurugram, Haryana, India
Dr. Praveen Chandra
MBBS, MD -Medical Genetics, DM - Cardiology
Cardiology
CH Baktawar Singh Road, Gurugram, Haryana, India
Dr. Rajneesh Kapoor
MBBS, MD - Medicine, DNB - Cardiology
Cardiology
CH Baktawar Singh Road, Gurugram, Haryana, India
Dr. Subhash K.Sinha
MBBS, MS - General Surgery, MCh - Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Surgery
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
1,2, Press Enclave Road, Delhi, Delhi, India
Dr. Rajneesh Malhotra
MBBS, MS - General Surgery, MCh - Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Fellowship in Cardiac Surgery
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
1,2, Press Enclave Road, Delhi, Delhi, India
