Overview
Heart Transplant is a life-saving surgical procedure where a failing or diseased heart is replaced with a healthy donor heart. It is the definitive treatment for end-stage heart failure when all other medical and device therapies have been exhausted.
Our multidisciplinary cardiothoracic transplant team offers advanced Orthotopic and Heterotopic Heart Transplant procedures — ensuring meticulous donor selection, state-of-the-art surgical techniques, and comprehensive postoperative care to maximize survival and quality of life.
When Do You Need Heart Transplant?
You may be a candidate if you're experiencing:
- End-stage heart failure (NYHA Class IV) with persistent symptoms despite maximal medical therapy
- Severe cardiomyopathy (ischemic or non-ischemic) with significantly reduced ejection fraction
- Recurrent life-threatening arrhythmias or intractable angina not amenable to other interventions
- Dependence on inotropic support or mechanical circulatory support devices as a bridge to transplant
- Poor quality of life with high risk of mortality within one year without transplant
Types of Heart Transplant
- Orthotopic Heart Transplant : Replacement of the recipient’s diseased heart with a donor heart in the normal anatomical position.
- Heterotopic Heart Transplant : “Piggyback” transplant where the donor heart is connected alongside the native heart to support cardiac output.
- Heart–Lung Transplant : Combined transplant of both heart and lungs for patients with concomitant pulmonary hypertension or severe lung disease.
- Bridge-to-Transplant Support : Use of ventricular assist devices (VADs) to stabilize patients awaiting donor organs.
Recovery Timeline
- Hospital Stay : 10–14 days, including ICU and step-down units.
- First Steps : Early extubation and mobilization; walking in ICU within days.
- Medications & Monitoring : Lifelong immunosuppressive therapy, routine endomyocardial biopsies, imaging, and lab checks.
- Return to Light Activities : 4–6 weeks of gentle walking and low-intensity exercises.
- Return to Work : 3–6 months, depending on job demands and overall recovery.
- Full Recovery : Approximately 12 months for stabilization of graft function, muscle strength, and conditioning.