Frequently Asked Questions

What is Heart Transplant?

A Heart Transplant is a surgical procedure in which a diseased heart or a failed heart is replaced with a healthier heart. This is useful in treating the most serious conditions of the heart like heart failure. 

Heart failure may be due to many reasons:

1. Coronary artery disease
2. Valve dysfunction
3. Congenital defect
4. Weakened heart muscle

This surgery is considered when medication, lifestyle modifications, and other treatments fail.  

What are the advantages of Heart Transplant? 

The advantages of Heart Transplant surgery are as follows:

1. To restore the functions of the heart.
2. To improve the quality of life by reducing the symptoms.
3. To increase the lifespan of the patient.

What are the indications of Heart Transplant?

Heart Transplant surgery is indicated in the following conditions:

1. Ischemic cardiomyopathy
2. Dilated cardiomyopathy
3. Congenital heart disease
4. If the ejection fraction is less than 20%
5. End-stage congestive heart failure
6. Pulmonary vascular resistance (less than 2 wood units)
7. Intractable angina 
8. Malignant cardiac arrhythmias

What is the preparation for Heart Transplant?

The preparation for Heart Transplant surgery are as follows:

1. You may be asked about your present and past medical history and medications history.
2. The doctor may ask you to undergo different lab tests before the surgery.
3. The patient may be referred to a heart transplant center for an evaluation.
4. Inform your doctor if you are using any blood thinners or pain killers.
5. You may be having some imaging tests to see the condition of the blockages.
6. You may be advised to stop eating or drinking before 6 hours of the procedure.
7. Inform your doctor if you are allergic to anesthesia or to any known contrast dye.
8. Discuss all the risks, complications, and benefits associated with the Heart Transplant surgery with your doctor.
9. You may be asked to sign the consent form before undergoing this procedure.

What are the steps involved in Heart Transplant?
The steps involved in Heart Transplant surgery are as follows:

1. General anesthesia will be given to avoid pain during the surgery.
2. The next step involves making an incision in the middle of the chest by your surgeon.
3. A cardiopulmonary bypass machine is connected to you. This machine is also called heart-lung surgery. It circulates oxygenated blood throughout the body while the surgical procedure is going on.
4. The damaged heart is removed by the surgeon, leaving the pulmonary vein openings and the back wall of the atrium intact. This is done to prepare the patient to receive the donor's heart.
5. The surgeon places the donor's healthy heart into the position and once the new heart starts beating, the heart-lung machine is removed. 
6. Most of the cases, the new heart starts beating as soon as the blood flow is restored. But in some cases, an electric shock is required to make the new heart to beat. 
7. Then the incision is closed with the help of the sutures and bandages.

What is the postprocedure care/recovery care for Heart Transplant?

1. After the surgery, the patient will be shifted to ICU. 
2. Patient may feel very drowsy for the next few hours. If there is pain at the site of incision, then consult your doctor. If the pain is severe, use the pain killers as directed by your doctor. 
3. There may be symptoms like fainting or weakness, chest pain, and/or shortness of breath which are common after the surgery. Inform your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. 
4. If bleeding is seen at the incision site, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
5. Follow all the instructions given by the doctor without fail.  
6. Make follow-up visits to the doctor to remove sutures or to know if the sutures are healed, and to monitor your condition, etc

Who can perform Heart Transplant [Right specialist type for Heart Transplant]?

Heart Transplant surgery can be performed by a certified and skilled Cardiologist or a Heart Surgeon who is well experienced in Heart Transplant surgeries.

What is the cost of Heart Transplant?
The cost of Heart Transplant surgery may vary according to the following factors:

1. Admission fee
2. Doctor fee
3. Type of hospital
4. Age of the patient
5. Type of donor
6. The medical condition of the patient
7. Postsurgical complications that are involved
8. The admission room that you opted for
9. Any other lab tests or examination tests such as X-ray, ECG, etc.

Minimum amount to be paid in Chennai starts from Rs.6,65,000

Average charges in Chennai is approximately Rs.9,50,000

Maximum cost in Chennai rises up to Rs.14,25,000

Is Heart Transplant a major surgery or minor surgery?

Heart Transplant surgery is a major surgery where the damaged or failed heart is replaced with the new healthy donor's heart.

What is the eligibility criteria for Heart Transplant?
The following are the eligibility criteria for Heart Transplant surgery:

1. Patients below 69 years of age
2. Patients with increasing medication requirements for their heart condition.
3. Patients with frequent hospital visits

What is the ineligibility criteria for Heart Transplant?

The following are the ineligibility criteria for Heart Transplant surgery:

1. Cancer
2. Hypertension
3. Pulmonary diseases
4. Active infections
5. Psychiatric illness
6. Substance abuse
   

What are the risks and complications associated with Heart Transplant?

The following are the risks or complications involved in the Heart Transplant:

1. Bleeding from the sutures
2. Infection
3. Hyperacute rejection
4. Cardiac rejections
5. Allograft vascular disease
6. Psychiatric disturbances due to steroid therapy

How long does it take to complete Heart Transplant?

The complete Heart Transplant surgery procedure may take around 3-4 hours. If there are any chest surgeries done earlier, it may take around 6-8 hours. 

What is the recovery time?

The recovery time for heart surgery is 3-6 months. It takes approximately 6 weeks for the sternum to heal completely.

What is the success rate of Heart Transplant?

The success rate of Heart Transplant surgery depends on the following factors:

1. Age of the patient
2. Overall health condition
3. Type of donor, etc.

However, the success rate of Heart Transplant surgery is 80%.

Is Heart Transplant painful?

Every surgery comes with a certain level of pain and some discomfort. You won't be experiencing pain during this process because you will be under general anesthesia. There may be some discomfort after the procedure. The pain after the postsurgery will be managed with painkillers.

Is Heart Transplant Permanent?

Heart Transplant surgery is permanent since the damaged heart is replaced with a donor's heart. 

What are the long-term results of Heart Transplant?

Most of the patients after the Heart Transplant surgery are went back to their normal activities. They are not restricted from doing daily activities after the surgery. After Heart Transplant surgery, most of the patients have no symptoms or with minimal symptoms. 

What are the alternatives for Heart Transplant?

The following are the alternatives for Heart Transplant:

1. Medications
2. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG)
3. Biventricular pacing (BVP)
4. Heart restraint devices
5. Total artificial heart (TAH)
6. Ventricular assist devices (VAD)
7. Intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP)