Heart Transplant

What Happens during a Heart Transplant Surgery?

Heart Transplant will require a hospital stay of 7 to 14 days, or even longer. Heart transplant surgery usually lasts for four hours approximately. During that time, you will be placed on a heart-lung machine to keep blood circulating throughout your body. A heart transplant follows the below process: 

Step 1: The surgeon will make an incision in your chest. Your surgeon will separate your chest bone and open your rib cage to reach your heart.

Step 2: The surgeon will put tubes into your chest so that your blood can be pumped through your body by a heart-lung machine while your heart is stopped and replaced.

Step 3: Once the blood has been completely diverted into the bypass machine and is being pumped by the machine, your doctor will remove the diseased heart.

Step 4: The surgeon will sew the donor heart into the place and once the heart begins beating, you will be removed from the heart-lung machine. In most cases, the new heart will begin to beat as soon as the blood flow is restored. Sometimes an electric shock will be required to prompt a heartbeat.

As you recover and start to breathe on your own, the breathing machine will be adjusted accordingly. When you can breathe completely on your own then your doctor will remove the breathing tube. 

Post-operative care after a Heart Transplant Surgery:

After your surgery is finished, you will be taken to the intensive care unit (ICU). You will be constantly monitored and given pain medication, and outfitted with drainage tubes to remove excess fluid from your chest cavity. After the first day or two after the procedure, you’ll most likely be moved from the ICU. Blood samples are taken often to monitor your new heart, as well as other body functions. These will include your lungs, kidneys, liver, and blood system. When your healthcare provider decides you are ready, you will be moved from the ICU to a private room on a surgical unit or transplant unit. You can gradually increase your activity when you get out of bed and walk around for longer periods. You can start drinking liquids and gradually eat solid foods as tolerated.

Due to the frequency and intensity of the monitoring, many people decide to stay close to the transplant center for the first three months after the transplant. Afterwards, follow-up visits are less frequent, and it is easier to travel back and forth. You will also be monitored for any signs or symptoms of rejection, such as shortness of breath, fever, fatigue, not urinating as much or weight gain. 

It is important to let your transplant team know if you notice any signs or symptoms of rejection or infection. Your healthcare team will closely watch your anti-rejection (immunosuppression) medicines to make sure you are getting the right dosage and the best combination of medicines. To determine whether your body is rejecting the new heart, you will be having frequent heart biopsies in the first few months after the heart transplantation. The frequency of necessary biopsies decreases over time.

A biopsy is done once a week in the early period after a transplant, and then it gradually changes to monthly or longer intervals. The biopsy procedures may eventually stop. The procedure involves a right heart catheterization. A special catheter is threaded through a vein in your neck or groin and into the right atrium of your heart. Your doctor will take 4 to 6 tiny tissue samples through the catheter and check them for signs of rejection. If your doctor finds signs of rejection, he or she will adjust your anti-rejection medication. The biopsy procedure has its instructions and risks, and your healthcare provider will discuss these with you.

Once you are at home, it is advisable to keep the surgical area clean and dry. Your doctor will give you specific bathing instructions. You will need frequent follow-up visits after the transplant. To allow the transplanted heart to survive in your body, you will need to take medicines for the rest of your life to fight rejection. Each person may react differently to the medications. In addition to taking daily anti-rejection medications, you will need to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle as prescribed by your doctor. This includes not smoking and exercising regularly if you’re able to. Some women who had heart transplants do become pregnant. However, talk to your doctor if you’re considering having children after your transplant. You will need medication adjustments before becoming pregnant, as some medications can cause pregnancy complications.

Follow-up after the Surgery:

You will need to make several long-term adjustments after you have had your heart transplant. These include the following:

• Taking immunosuppressants: These medications will decrease the activity of your immune system to prevent it from attacking your donated heart. You will have to take some of these medications for the rest of your life. Since immunosuppressants render your body more vulnerable to infection, your doctor may also prescribe antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal medications. Some drugs could raise your risk of developing conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer or diabetes. Over time, as the risk of rejection decreases, the doses and number of anti-rejection drugs can be reduced.

• Managing medications, therapies and a lifelong care plan: Your doctor will instruct you regarding your lifestyle like exercising, eating a healthy diet and not using tobacco products. Follow all of your doctor’s instructions, see your doctor regularly for follow-up appointments, and let your doctor know if you have signs or symptoms of complications. It’s a good idea to set up a daily routine for taking your medications so that you don’t forget. Keep a list of all your medications with you at all times in case you need emergency medical attention, and tell all your doctors what you take each time you are prescribed a new medicine.

• Cardiac rehabilitation: These programs incorporate exercise and education to help you improve your health and recover after a heart transplant. Cardiac rehabilitation can help you regain your strength and improve your quality of life, which could be started before you are discharged from the hospital.

What is the Success Rate of Heart Transplant?

Receiving a new heart will improve your quality of life considerably, but you have to take good care of it. The overall survival rate worldwide is more than 85% after one year and about 69% after five years for adults.

What is the Heart Transplant Surgery Cost in India?

The cost of a heart transplant in India is Rs 25,00,000/-. This is a package cost for evaluation, surgery & hospital fees. Additional to this, please note that you will incur the expense of accommodation during the waiting period along with dietary requirements. Fortunately, we have our own fully content service apartments with equipped kitchen. These are made available to our patients at an affordable rate. You can ensure home-cooked food which is healthy for the patient as well as a cheaper option for a long stay treatment plan.