Heart transplantation replaces a failing heart with a healthy heart from a donor. It is considered when severe heart failure continues despite the best medicines, devices and other treatments, and when expected survival is limited. Donor hearts come from people who have been declared brain-stem dead, and organ allocation follows the legal framework for organ donation in India. It is a major, lifelong commitment for the patient, family and the medical team.

Patients seeking a cardiovascular hospital in Mumbai for a transplant are evaluated in detail. Tests assess heart function, lung pressure, kidney and liver health, infections and other illnesses, and the team looks at emotional readiness and support at home. If suitable, the patient is placed on the waiting list, and the wait can be long. During this period, medicines, devices or a pump may be used to keep the patient as well as possible.

After transplantation, patients stay in intensive care and then in hospital for several weeks. Immune-suppressing medicines are taken for life to prevent rejection, and frequent clinic visits, blood tests, echocardiograms and, at times, heart muscle biopsies check for rejection. Cardiac rehabilitation helps recovery. Infection precautions, dental care, sun protection and healthy habits become part of daily life.

How the Procedure Can Help

A transplant can restore energy, remove breathlessness and extend life for people with end-stage heart failure. Many patients return to work, family life and light exercise and feel their quality of life improve markedly.

Risks and Considerations

Risks include rejection, infection due to immune suppression, kidney damage, high blood pressure, diabetes, certain cancers and narrowing of the transplanted heart's arteries over time. Fever, breathlessness, swelling or unusual tiredness after transplantation needs urgent review. Not every patient qualifies, and donor availability limits how many transplants can be done.