Important Aspects of A Heart Transplant

Heart Transplant

Heart transplant is also known as Cardiac Transplant. This procedure is done for replacing an unhealthy and impaired heart with a healthy heart.

Risks of Heart Transplant

Some possible risks involved in the heart transplantation are as follows:

• Systemic Infection: means any infection which affects the entire body, rather than a single organ or body part.
• Post-operative bleeding: After the operation, there are chances of bleeding.
• Possibility of a blood clot which could consequently lead to the following complications:
  • Myocardial Infarction/Heart attack
  • Lung problem
  • Stroke
• Coronary Arteriopathy
• Breathing issues
• Renal/Kidney Failure

Why India for Heart Transplant?

India is the best option for cardiac procedures including cardiac transplant. India has the best cardiac surgeons in terms of skill and experience. The facilities/hospitals are also equipped with the most updated and sophisticated medical technology for a successful transplant.

These facilities have specialized and dedicated cardiac team lead by the best cardiac surgeons. In India, the average cost of cardiac transplant surgery is very low compared to the cost in western countries.

India serves to be a large reservoir of skilled professionals which have provided various treatments to more than 65000 medical tourists annually.

Legal Aspects of Organ Transplant

• Donor should be brain dead
• The donor can be relatives who need approval of the physician in charge of the heart transplant:
  • Parents
  • Spouse
  • Children
  • Grandparents
• In an instance when the donor is other than the relatives, that donor has to seek approval of the authorized committee before organ donation.

Green corridor for heart transplant

The main objective of green corridor for any kind of transplant is to tackle immediate medical need, by manually-operating the road signals for avoiding the traffic peaks.

Waiting List for Heart transplant

The heart transplant waiting list is really difficult to predict. In some people, an immediate match is found, while in others the waiting period could be for more than a year. The average wait is approximately 3 to 6 months. This waiting period also depends on how easily the match is found and the condition’s severity. If a heart is available the waiting list is evaluated to check the best match.

Some people need to wait longer due to the size variation, blood type, etc. In a situation, where 2 people equally match the recipient criteria, the person who is more critical is given priority for the heart transplantation.

Heart Transplant Life Expectancy

In India, the average heart transplant survival rate is 80% after 2 years and 70% after 5 years of the transplant procedure. If patient is managed properly and if they do not develop any complications after the transplant; then, the life expectancy could be even upto 15 years.

Heart transplant cost in India

The estimated Heart transplant cost in India is as follows:

Heart Transplant Rejection

One should watch out for the following heart transplant rejection symptoms:

• Fever
• Breathlessness/Shortness of breath
• Collection of fluid in the lungs
• Reduced blood oxygen levels

Heart Transplant Prognosis

A Heart transplant surgery can improve the life span of people. In a research report, post 5 years, more than 70% of the patients benefit from transplantation procedures.

Cardiac rehabilitation

A cardiac rehabilitation includes healthy lifestyle changes to keep the heart healthy. It’s basic objective is to control the cardiovascular disease risk factors. For facilitating one to adapt to a healthy lifestyle, this rehab programme comprises of physical fitness by including exercise training, and educating one on how to gain a healthy heart. This programme also focuses on counseling to minimize the stress and improve one’s condition and help to return to a normal and active life.