A heart transplant is a major surgery that replaces a diseased or damaged heart with a healthy one from a deceased donor. It is a life-saving treatment for people with end-stage heart failure, which occurs when the heart is too weak to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.

The surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon will make an incision in the chest and connect the patient to a heart-lung machine, which will circulate blood throughout the body while the heart is replaced. The surgeon will then remove the diseased heart and sew the donor heart in place. Once the new heart is in place, the surgeon will connect the blood vessels and electrical signals.

Who is a candidate for heart transplant surgery?

Heart transplant surgery is only considered for people with end-stage heart failure. This means that the heart is so damaged that it cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. People with end-stage heart failure may experience symptoms such as:

• Shortness of breath

• Fatigue

• Chest pain

• Swollen ankles

• Weight gain

There are two types of heart transplant surgery:

1. Orthotopic heart transplant: This is the most common type of heart transplant surgery. In an orthotopic heart transplant, the diseased heart is replaced with a healthy donor heart. The donor heart is placed in the same position as the original heart.

2. Heterotopic heart transplant: This is a rare type of heart transplant surgery. In a heterotopic heart transplant, the donor heart is placed next to the original heart, instead of replacing it. The donor heart is connected to the recipient's blood vessels, but the original heart is left in place.

The surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia and can take up to six hours. The steps involved in a heart transplant surgery are as follows:

1. Preparation for surgery: The patient will be given medication to help them relax and to prevent blood clots. The surgical team will prepare the operating room and sterilize all equipment.

2. Anesthesia: The patient will be given anesthesia to keep them unconscious and pain-free during the surgery.

3. Opening the chest: The surgeon will make a large incision in the chest and then connect the patient to a heart-lung machine. This machine will take over the work of the heart and lungs, allowing the surgeon to remove the diseased heart.

4. Removing the diseased heart: The surgeon will carefully remove and dispose of the diseased heart.

5. Preparing the donor heart: The surgeon will prepare the donor heart for transplantation by flushing it with a special solution and attaching it to the heart-lung machine.

6. Implanting the donor heart: The surgeon will sew the donor heart into place and connect it to the patient's blood vessels.

7. Removing the heart-lung machine: Once the donor heart is attached and beating on its own, the surgeon will remove the heart-lung machine.

8. Closing the chest: The surgeon will close the incision in the chest with stitches or staples.

9. Recovery: The patient will be taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) for recovery. They will be closely monitored for signs of rejection, which is when the body attacks the donor heart. The patient will also be given medication to suppress the immune system and prevent rejection.

Risks of Heart Transplant Surgery

Short-term risks

• Infection

• Bleeding

• Rejection

• Stroke

• Kidney failure

Long-term risks

• Coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV)

• Cancer (increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as skin cancer)

• High blood pressure

• Chronic lung disease

• Osteoporosis

• Psychological problems

Benefits of Heart Transplant Surgery

• Improved quality of life

• Increased survival

• Return to normal activities

Additional benefits

• Reduce symptoms of heart failure, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain

• Improve heart function

• Reduce the risk of death from heart failure

Here is an overview of the heart transplant surgery recovery timeline:

In the hospital (10 to 14 days)

• Day 1: You will be closely monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU). Your vital signs, heart function, and breathing will be checked regularly. You may start to take some fluids and a light diet.

• Day 2 to 7: You will be moved to a general care room if your condition is stable. You will continue to be monitored, but you may have more freedom to move around and interact with family and friends.

• Day 8 to 14: You will be discharged from the hospital if your recovery is progressing well. You will need to continue taking your medication and see your doctor regularly for follow-up visits.

At home (6 weeks to 3 months)

• Week 1 to 2: You will need to rest and avoid strenuous activity. You may experience some pain and discomfort, but this should gradually improve.

• Week 3 to 4: You may start to increase your activity level, but you should still avoid lifting heavy objects or doing anything that causes pain.

• Week 5 to 6: You should be able to resume most of your normal activities. You may still feel tired easily, but you should continue to improve over the next few months.

Full recovery (3 to 6 months)

• Month 3: You should be feeling much better and be able to resume most of your normal activities. You may still need to take some medication to prevent rejection, but your doctor may be able to reduce your dosage.

• Month 4 to 6: You should be feeling back to your normal self. You may still have some limitations, such as not being able to participate in strenuous activities, but you should be able to live a full and active life.

Here are some additional tips for recovering from heart transplant surgery:

• Get plenty of rest.

• Eat a healthy diet.

• Take your medication as prescribed.

• Avoid strenuous activity.

• See your doctor regularly for follow-up visits.

The cost of a heart transplant in Delhi can vary depending on the hospital and surgeon, but it typically ranges from Rs. 20 lakhs to Rs. 30 lakhs (approximately $25,000 to $38,000). This includes the cost of the surgery, anesthesia, hospitalization, and medication.

Here is a breakdown of the average costs of a heart transplant in Delhi: