Heart Transplant

Heart failure is diagnosed based on patient’s medical and family histories, a physical exam, and test results. The signs and symptoms of heart failure also are common in other conditions.

• The cause of heart failure is evaluated such as coronary heart disease (CHD), high blood pressure, or diabetes
• Other causes of patient’s symptoms are evaluated
• Find any damage to patient’s heart and check how well patient’s heart pumps blood
• Early diagnosis and treatment can help people who have heart failure live longer, more active lives.

After medical and family histories and physical exam, patent has to undergo certain tests.  There are main 2 very simple tests that are primary – an echocardiogram and a blood test called NT-pro BNP (a hormone that rises in the blood as a response to a failing heart). The echocardiogram will measure the Ejection Fraction or EF which is a measure of how well the heart is contracting. BNP Blood Test checks the level of a hormone in patient’s blood called BNP. The level of this hormone rises during heart failure. Other tests are  ECG (Electrocardiogram), Chest X-Ray, Doppler Ultrasound, Holter Monitor, Cardiac Catheterization, Coronary Angiography, Stress Test, Cardiac MRI and  Thyroid Function Tests, which are done as and when needed.

A heart transplant is carried out under general anaesthesia and normally takes between four and six hours. The  transplant  should  be  performed  within  2  hours  from  the  brain  death. Patent is connected to a heart-lung bypass machine, which will take over the functions of the heart and lungs while the transplant is being carried out. CIMS Hospital is the best heart transplant center in Ahmedabad, Gujarat and perhaps even in India with one of the highest heart transplant success rates across the country.

The procedure:

• The surgeon makes a cut (incision)  down the chest of  the patient  over  breastbone and the bone is separated, allowing the surgeon to access the heart
• Then the heart is removed, leaving behind a section of the right and left atria, the two upper chambers of the heart
• The new heart is connected to the aorta, the main artery from the heart, the pulmonary artery, and the remaining part of the atria
• The bypass machine should be taken off when the new heart starts beating.
• The breastbone will be closed with metal wires, and the tissues and skin will be closed with stitches.

Once the transplant is complete, the patient will be moved to an intensive care unit (ICU). A machine called a ventilator will assist in breathing, and a tube will be inserted into a vein to provide with fluid and nutrients. These will normally be removed after a few days.

Pain relief is also provided as required.

Most people are well enough to move from the ICU and into a hospital ward within a few days.

Patient will be able to leave hospital within two or three weeks, although they need to have regular follow-up appointments and take medication to help stop their body rejecting patient’s new heart.

Approximately  50 – 60% patient survive more than 12 years. Their results are as god as kidney transplant  Survival rates  for  people who’ve had a heart transplant  vary according  to  their  overall health status, but  averages  remain  high.  Rejection is   the main cause for a shortened life span.