Advanced heart failure care looks after patients whose heart is badly weakened and no longer responds well to standard treatment. Symptoms include breathlessness at rest, severe fatigue, swelling, repeated hospital admissions and difficulty with everyday activities.

Patients searching for heart treatment in Mumbai for advanced heart failure at Apex are assessed with echocardiography, blood tests, and, where required, heart catheterisation to measure pressures. The doctor adjusts medicines, treats the cause where possible and checks whether a device would help.

For a small number of patients, mechanical pumps or transplantation may be considered. These treatments are available only at specialised centres and require extensive evaluation. The cardiology team at Apex assesses suitability, coordinates referral where appropriate and continues care before and after.

Advanced heart failure and transplant services include:

• LVAD Evaluation: Assessment of whether a mechanical pump placed beside a failing left ventricle could extend life or serve as a bridge to transplant, with discussion of lifestyle and home care.
• Heart Transplant Evaluation: Review of fitness, other illnesses and support at home, with referral to a transplant centre and follow-up of medicines and rejection checks afterwards.
• Endomyocardial Biopsy and Right Heart Catheterisation: Sampling of heart muscle to identify causes such as inflammation and pressure measurements that guide treatment decisions.
• ECMO Support: Temporary external heart and lung support in critical illness, started in intensive care where a patient's heart or lungs cannot sustain life alone.