Rare Heart Transplant surgery at Global Health City keeps the heart beating

Dec. 8, 2012 - PRLog -- The team of Cardio– Thoracic Doctors under the leadership of Dr. Attawar Sandeep at Global Health City gave a new lease of life to Mr. Narayanan with a successful heart transplant surgery. Mr. Narayanan 58 year old male was admitted in critical cardiac care unit, with a terminal heart failure. The heart failure was caused by a fairly common condition, termed Dilated Cardiomyopathy or otherwise an enlarged heart, caused by both the left and right ventricles dilating due to viral, metabolic, ischemic or nutritional reasons. This clinical condition can occur in patients from childhood to septuagenarians.

He was stabilized over the next 72 hrs with medications and measures to relieve excess fluid in his body. His recovery encouraged clinicians to proceed with further evaluation towards treatment.

Treating Cardiologist, Dr Joy Thomas conducted further tests that included an echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization and angiography. These tests showed a barely functional heart with 20% EF (ejection fraction), normal coronary arteries with moderate pulmonary hypertension. It was then decided, that he needed maximal anti failure therapy followed by a Heart Transplantation at the earliest.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. K. Ravindranath, Chairman & Managing Director, Global Hospitals Group said “Transplant program at Global Hospitals has evolved over the years from a sustained commitment to world class surgical expertise. At Global Hospitals we embrace the latest and the best technologies available to deliver cutting edge healthcare technology in its mission to provide patient best service and ensure uttermost patient safety.”

The Treatment process

During the interim wait, he was examined by heart failure specialist Dr. Guru Prasad, he was then reviewed by a panel of clinical   physiotherapist, nutritionist & Psychologist to rule out any possible complications. The treatment process was planned and performed by the Heart Transplant team headed by Dr. Sandeep Attawar.

A battery of tests to determine his immunological status and compatibility to a foreign organ were determined and steps were taken to ensure the least possibility of rejection of that organ. It was now decided to ask the patient to live close by and stay prepared for the possibility of a donor organ made available at short notice. He was instructed to stay in touch with our team of experts on a weekly basis after discharge.

The Heart Transplant at Global Health City

Almost miraculously, 2 hrs prior to discharge a potential organ donor was identified in our hospital after the family had made a voluntary decision to proceed with donating organs of a young lady. A donor recipient cross match was highly favorable and with the family’s consent, a decision to proceed with transplantation was taken.

A successful heart transplant was performed on the 27th of November 2012 and after a brief and uneventful stay of 72 hrs in the ICU, he was shifted to the step down recovery in isolation and is being discharged today with long term medications and immunosuppression. He would be followed up closely on a weekly basis at the center for the next 3-6 months, special focus will be on preventing infection and rejection surveillance. Dr Govini Balasubramaniam, Senior consultant Cardiac surgeon and Lung transplant pioneer at Global Hospitals Chennai, was involved with the harvest and main transplant procedure, feels adjusting the right dose of immunosupression and titrating it’s side effects to prevent liver and kidney damage is crucial. Dr Soundarrajan, Critical care specialist and Cardiac anaesthetist feels this challenge is like ‘walking a tightrope, across the Niagara falls’

Dr Attawar Sandeep who has lead the team effort while performing the procedure states “The atmosphere to get it right and all the elements to have a highly structured and successful transplant service are available in the state . Nowhere in the country , do we have such an evolved community of individuals, who consider it their sacred duty to help save a life by organ donation,  coupled with a concerned and highly involved governmental process not forgetting the best specialists and paramedical services – given Chennai’s reputation as a doctor to the nation.”  

Mr. Narayanan is one of those few fortunate individuals in our country who was treated on time. India has close to 80000 patients who need this operation today, as we speak. Thoracic solid organ transplantation is the pinnacle of transplantation surgery. Its challenges and pitfalls are numerous. Successes like these will continue to encourage and spur focus and momentum in making this treatment option a viable and cost effective one.

“The Doctors at Global Health City gave me the strength to undertake the surgery and showed me the confidence that I could lead a normal life post the operation. I feel like I'm much younger and I have an opportunity to lead a normal life. I would like to thank the medical team at Global Health City.” said an emotional Mr. Narayanan