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BAJAJ FINSERV HEALTH LIMITED
Heart Transplant
Find the best hospitals for Heart Transplant on the Bajaj Finserv Health platform.
Minimum Cost
₹6,65,000
Average Cost
₹8,32,500
Maximum Cost
₹10,00,000
- heart transplant cost in India depends on factors like the city, hospital and doctor.
- You can convert your heart transplant cost into easy, no-cost EMIs with Bajaj Finserv Health.
Quick links
- What is Heart Transplant Surgery?
- Types of Heart Transplant Procedure
- When is Heart Transplant Operation Required?
- How to Prepare for Heart Transplant Surgery?
- What Happens Before Heart Transplant Surgery?
- What Happens During Heart Transplant Operation?
- Methods/Techniques used for performing heart transplant procedure
- Post Procedure details
- Risks and complications associated with heart transplant surgery
- Why Bajaj Health?
What is Heart Transplant Surgery?
A heart transplant is a surgical procedure that involves replacing a person's diseased or failing heart with a healthy heart from a deceased donor. This is a treatment option for people who are in the final stages of heart failure. Heart failure can occur due to several reasons, including coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, or damage to the heart that develops after many years. In a heart transplant, the surgeon removes the patient's heart except for the back half of the left and right atria (the heart's upper chambers). The donor's heart is then connected to the patient's atria and blood vessels. The new heart begins to receive blood flow and resumes normal function in the recipient's body.
Types of Heart Transplant Procedure
Orthotopic Heart Transplant
In an orthotopic heart transplant procedure, the entire heart of the recipient is replaced with the donor's heart. The procedure begins by connecting the patient to a heart-lung bypass machine; the machine then starts performing the function of the heart and lungs during the surgery. The surgeon removes the diseased heart and replaces it with the donor's heart. Once the new heart is connected to the blood vessels, it should begin to beat. The heart-lung machine is then disconnected, and the chest is closed.
Heterotopic Heart Transplant
A heterotopic heart transplant is a less common procedure where the patient's diseased heart is not removed. Instead, the donor's heart is attached to the patient's heart. This procedure is performed when the patient's heart is too weak to function on its own but too strong to be removed entirely. The donor's heart assists the patient's heart in pumping blood.
Domino Heart Transplant
A domino heart transplant is a unique procedure that involves two donors and two recipients. It usually occurs during a lung transplant procedure when the recipient's heart is healthy enough to be transplanted into another patient who needs a heart transplant. The first recipient gets a combined heart and lung transplant, and their heart goes to the second recipient. This procedure is called a domino transplant because one organ donation triggers the next, like dominoes falling in a line.
Ventricular Assist Devices
Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are mechanical pumps that assist the heart in pumping blood. They are not a type of transplant but a treatment option for patients waiting for a heart transplant. VADs can be used short-term for patients recovering from heart surgery or long-term for patients waiting for a heart transplant.
When is Heart Transplant Operation Required?
A heart transplant operation becomes necessary when all other treatments for heart-related problems have proven unsuccessful, and the patient's life is at risk. Heart transplant is considered when a patient has severe heart failure, and other treatments such as medications, lifestyle changes, or less invasive procedures and surgeries are no longer effective. The decision to opt for a heart transplant is made by a team of heart health professionals. They consider a range of factors such as the patient's age, general health, the presence of other diseases or conditions, and the patient's ability to adhere to the stringent medication and follow-up regimen post-transplant. Typically, heart transplants are recommended for patients with end-stage heart failure, a condition in which the heart is so damaged or weakened that it can't meet the body's needs. Heart failure may be caused by numerous conditions like coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, congenital heart defects, viral heart infections, or damaging effects of alcohol or drug abuse.
How to Prepare for Heart Transplant Surgery?
Preparing for a heart transplant involves several steps. It starts with a comprehensive evaluation to check if a patient is eligible for the surgery. This includes blood tests, imaging studies, psychological evaluation, and other tests to assess the health of other major organs.
Once a patient is accepted into a transplant program, the wait for a donor heart begins. During this period, it is crucial for the patient to stay as healthy as possible. Regular check-ups with the healthcare team, taking prescribed medications, maintaining a balanced diet, and staying active can help.
The patient also needs to prepare for the possibility of a long wait for a donor heart. They will be put on a waiting list and the waiting time can vary from days to several months or even years. During this time, the healthcare team will monitor the patient's health closely and may adjust treatments as necessary.
Emotional preparation is equally important as physical preparation. The waiting period can be stressful and it's important to have a good support system. Counselling and support groups can be beneficial in managing stress and anxiety during this time.
Finally, preparing for life post-transplant is also essential. The patient will need to make significant lifestyle changes and follow a strict regimen of medications to prevent organ rejection and infection. The healthcare team will guide and support the patient navigate through these changes.
What Happens Before Heart Transplant Surgery?
Pre-transplant Evaluation:
The patient undergoes a thorough evaluation to determine if they are a suitable candidate for a heart transplant. This includes tests like blood tests, imaging tests, and heart and lung evaluations.
Education:
The patient and family members receive education about the transplant process, required lifestyle changes, potential risks and benefits, and the long-term commitment to taking the immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection of the transplanted heart.
Waiting for a Donor Heart:
Once approved for a heart transplant, the patient is placed on a national waiting list for a donor heart. The wait time varies and can be unpredictable. During this time, the patient's health is closely monitored, and they may receive treatments to support their heart function.
Preparation for Surgery:
When a donor heart becomes available, the patient is immediately called to the hospital. They undergo various tests to confirm their health status and to prepare for the surgery. This may include blood tests, chest x-rays, and other necessary procedures.
What Happens During Heart Transplant Operation?
Anesthesia:
The patient is given general anesthesia; thus, they will be asleep and pain-free during the operation.
Incision and Access:
The surgeon makes a cut in the middle of the chest and separates the breastbone to access the heart. The patient is hooked up to a heart-lung machine; the machine does the function of the heart and lungs while the surgery is being done.
Removal of the Diseased Heart:
The surgeon removes the diseased heart, leaving the back part of the left atrium (the heart's upper chamber) attached to the patient's body.
Implantation of the Donor Heart:
The surgeon connects the donor heart to the patient's body by sewing the back part of the patient's left atrium to the left atrium of the donor heart. The surgeon then connects the aorta and pulmonary artery, and the heart's lower chambers (the right and left ventricles).
Restoration of Blood Flow:
Once the donor heart is securely connected, blood flow is restored. The heart-lung machine is gradually disconnected as the donor heart takes over the function of pumping blood.
Monitoring and Closure:
The surgical team closely monitors the function of the new heart. Once it is functioning well, the surgeon closes the breastbone with wires (which stay in the body permanently) and stitches or staples the skin incision.
Methods/Techniques used for performing heart transplant procedure
A heart transplant involves several stages, including:Removal of the diseased heart:
The surgeon makes an incision through the breastbone to access the heart. The patient is then connected to a heart-lung bypass machine; this machine takes over the function of the heart and lungs during the procedure.
Transplantation of the donor heart:
The surgeon removes the diseased heart and instead of it, places a donor heart. The major blood vessels are connected to the new heart. The heart may start beating on its own, or a mild electric shock may be used to start the heartbeat.
Closure of the chest:
Once the new heart is functioning properly, the surgeon uses wires to close the breastbone. The wires stay in the body permanently. The surgeon then closes the skin incision.
Post Procedure details
After a heart transplant:Recovery in the hospital:
Patients usually spend the first few days in the intensive care unit to monitor heart function. They may spend up to two weeks in the hospital.
Cardiac rehabilitation:
Patients typically need several weeks to months of cardiac rehabilitation. This involves exercise training, education about heart-healthy living, and counseling to lower stress levels and enable an active lifestyle for the patient.
Long-term follow-up:
Patients will need lifelong follow-up care with a cardiologist who specializes in heart transplants. They will need regular check-ups and ongoing treatment with medications to help the new heart function properly.
Risks and complications associated with heart transplant surgery
Like any major surgery, a heart transplant carries risks, such as:Infection:
Because immunosuppressant drugs weaken the immune system, the body is more susceptible to infections.
Rejection:
This is a common complication, where the body's immune system considers the new heart as a foreign object and thus tries to attack it.
Coronary artery disease:
Over time, the arteries supplying blood to the heart can become narrow and hard. This could cause a fatal heart attack.
Medication side effects:
The medications taken after a heart transplant can cause a variety of side effects, including bone thinning, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney damage, and cancer.
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DisclaimerThe cost of heart transplant depends on the following factors: the city, the hospital that is selected, the complexity of the procedure and the room chosen by the patient. The price range mentioned here is an approximation of the surgery cost; Bajaj Finserv Health does not claim that these prices are an exact estimate. For exact information about surgery charges, it is best inquire at the selected hospital.