Heart Transplant in India: Cost, Success Rates, Patient Criteria, and More
During a heart transplant, a surgeon replaces a patient’s damaged or failing heart with a healthier donor heart. This transplant is a treatment option for patients who are in the end stages of heart failure. And for those who have tried different medications, lifestyle changes, and less invasive procedures but haven’t succeeded.
When is a Heart Transplant in India done?
A heart transplant is performed on a patient when the treatments for other serious heart problems have failed. This may lead to a dysfunctional heart, which can lead to heart failure. Here are the following conditions that can result in heart failure:
- A congenital defect
- Coronary artery disease
- A valve dysfunction or disease
- A weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)
- Recurring abnormal heart rhythms (ventricular arrhythmias)
- Previous heart transplant failure
Who Needs a Heart Transplant in India?
A heart transplant is considered a lifesaving measure when a patient suffers from advanced heart failure; their hearts have sustained long-term damage or are weakening, making them unable to pump enough blood. There are a wide range of possible causes for this form of heart failure. Most patients who require a heart transplant suffer from one of the following:
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a disease that makes it difficult for the heart muscle to pump blood. Inherited disorders and infections are two potential causes. Even after a battery of tests, sometimes the underlying cause remains unknown (idiopathic).
Congenital disability affecting the heart.
Having congenital heart disease indicates that you were born with a structural abnormality in your heart. Patients with certain kinds of congenital heart disease who have advanced heart failure require a heart transplant as their last option.
The disease of the coronary arteries
Damage to the heart muscle is irreversible if a heart attack happens due to clogged arteries.
Inflammation of the heart’s valves
In both scenarios, the heart valves are damaged.
Transplanting a new heart into a child or adult is possible up to the age of 70 and up to 75 in exceptional cases.
Heart Transplant Eligibility
For a heart transplant in India, the eligibility of both the patient and donor is thoroughly investigated. Both must meet certain criteria set up by the medical professionals.
You may be denied eligibility for a heart transplant as a patient if you:
- Are at an age where recovery post the heart transplant would be minimal.
- Have a medical condition that could shorten your life, like cancer or severe liver, kidney, or lung disease.
- Have a recent personal medical history of cancer.
- Have a prolonged infection.
- Are unable to make necessary lifestyle changes to keep your donor heart-healthy, like smoking habits or giving up drinking.
The Success Rate of Heart Transplants in India
It’s estimated that the total mortality associated with heart transplants in India is only about 10%, which is the lowest in the world. In fact, the success rate of patients in some of India’s leading heart transplant institutions is from 90 to 95%.
Cost of Heart Transplant in India
Anyone needing a heart transplant in India may find the cost a significant barrier to receiving one. A terminal cardiac problem can be costly for the patient in terms of medication, consultation, and therapy.
Most doctors advise patients and their families to check their insurance policies to see if organ transplants are covered. The cost of a heart transplant varies greatly, often between 20 and 25 lakhs. This includes everything from diagnosis and preparation to transplant and rehabilitation.
The factors that affect the price are:
- Cost of Organ Transportation and Return.
- Knowledge, expertise, and experience of the surgical team, as well as cutting-edge equipment and methods they use.
- Technology and Facilities in Healthcare Facilities.
- Length of hospital stay and type of room selected.
- Restoration and Rehab.
- Concerns about one’s health
During The Heart Transplant Procedure
Heart transplant surgery takes several hours. If you’ve had previous heart surgery, the procedure will be more complicated and take longer. Before the procedure, you’ll be put to sleep after being injected with general anaesthesia. To keep oxygen-rich blood moving throughout your body, your surgeon will connect you to a heart-lung bypass machine.
To separate your chest bone and open up your rib cage, your surgeon will make an incision in your chest. The surgeon would next remove your damaged heart through the incision, leaving the pulmonary vein holes and the left atrium’s rear wall intact.
The surgeon then stitches the donor heart with the major blood vessels to maintain blood flow, so that the donor’s heart can start to beat normally. The heart-lung machine would be removed after the transplant. An electric shock is sometimes required to get the donor’s heart to beat properly.
After the Heart Transplant Procedure
After the Heart Transplant surgery,
- You’ll be given immediate medicine to cope with pain.
- You’ll have a ventilator to help you breathe, and the tubes in your chest will drain fluids from your heart and lungs.
- You’ll also receive medications and fluids via intravenous (IV) tubes.
Because heart transplant surgery is so delicate, you may be required to spend the first few days after your surgery in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), after which you may be transferred to a regular ward.
Your transplant team will closely monitor you in the ICU and at your outpatient transplant facility. After the surgery, you may need to make long-term lifestyle changes. These include:
- Taking immunosuppressants
- Medications & check-ups
- Cardiac rehabilitation
Results
Most patients can live fulfilling lives after receiving a new heart. You can return to your favourite pastimes, work, and even the gym, depending on how severe your condition is. Talk to your surgeon about what physical activity you may safely engage in.
After a heart transplant in India, some women can even become pregnant. If you wish to start a family after a transplant, you should talk to your doctor about it.
About Curebridge
With Curebridge, individuals and their families can access top-notch healthcare facilities across India. Besides connecting patients with suitable healthcare providers in India, Curebridge offers support for aftercare and logistics, including travel, lodging, consultations, and treatments.
Curebridge has a team of seasoned professionals adept at guiding patients through the intricacies of the Indian healthcare system. The platform is committed to providing transparent and affordable pricing, offering patients various payment options to suit their circumstances. For more details, chat with us at +91-9152065206 or email [email protected].