Advanced
Heart Transplant
Surgery in Hyderabad

Heart Transplant: Pre-Op & Post-Op Care

Heart transplant surgery is a very important procedure that demands careful planning, coordination, and accuracy at every stage. The success of a heart transplant does not depend only on the surgical act itself, but equally on the pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative management. Each phase plays an important role in making sure of graft survival, preventing problems during the process, and helping the patient to make a return to a healthy and active life.

Before the Heart Transplant Procedure

This, before the stage of the pre-operative procedure, emphasizes improving the patient’s condition and identification of the perfect donor. It also makes sure that the transplant is performed under safe and beneficial circumstances.

Comprehensive examination and listing involve a detailed medical evaluation of heart function, other organs such as lungs, kidneys, and liver, and general health.

Diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, ECG, and cardiac catheterization, chest x-ray, pulmonary function testing, Blood test for infection, electrolyte balance, and organ function.

Psychological and social examination determines emotional preparedness and social support of recovery.

Transplant listing once approved by the transplant team, the patient is placed on the national waiting list for a compatible donor heart.

In donor heart matching, the donor heart must be compatible in blood type, size, and tissue match to minimize rejection.
Donor hearts are usable for only 4-6 hours after retrieval, so rapid coordination between the donor and the recipient hospital is very important.

In Pre-surgical preparation patient is admitted for stabilization and pre-surgical readiness. Prophylactic antibiotics and immunosuppressants may be given, usually for 6-8 hours before surgery.

Heart Transplant Procedure

The intra-operative phase is the surgical stage where the diseased heart is replaced with the donor heart. The operation generally lasts for 4-6 hours.

Anesthesia and patient preparation are the patient and connected to a ventilator. The surgical team sterilizes and drapes the chest to ensure aseptic conditions.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass is where the patient is connected to a heart-lung machine, which temporarily takes over the heart-lung functions, maintaining circulation and oxygenation during the surgery process.

Removal of the diseased heart is done by accessing the diseased heart through a median sternotomy. The major vessels are detached, and part of the left atrium is retained for anastomosis.

Implantation of a donor heart involves the donor heart being preserved in a cold solution in the chest cavity.

The surgeon connects the left atrium to the left atrium, right atrium to the right atrium, aorta to aorta, and pulmonary artery to pulmonary artery. Once connections are made, blood flow is restarted. The heart often starts beating on its own; if not, mild electrical stimulation is used.

The patient is gradually removed using a heart-lung machine once stable. Temporary pacing wires and chest drains are inserted. The sternum is closed with wire, and then the skin incision is sutured.

After the Heart Transplant Procedure

This stage is important for steadying the new heart, taking steps to prevent the body from rejecting the new heart, and promoting long-term recovery.

The patient is first shifted to the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU).

Mechanical ventilation is maintained until the patient can breathe independently.

Continuous monitoring of the vitals that include blood pressure, oxygen levels, heart rhythm, and urine output is done.

Inotropic support may be provided to help the new heart function in an effective manner.

To prevent organ rejection, patients require lifelong immunosuppressive drugs such as calcineurin inhibitors, anti-metabolites, and corticosteroids.

Infections and rejections are monitored based on endomyocardial biopsies and echocardiograms. Strict infection control measures are practiced.

If there is a rejection, early symptoms like fatigue, fever, swelling, or shortness of breath are signs of rejection.

Lifestyle changes include taking a balanced diet, following the schedule of taking medicines, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and managing stress.

Regular follow-ups are done to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and renal function.

Benefits of Heart Transplant at Yashoda Hospitals

• Normal heart function is restored
• Quality of life is significantly improved
• Life expectancy is increased
• Alleviates the symptoms of a diseased heart
• Helps in improving physical activity and strength
• Organ function is brought back to normal
• Improves mental and emotional health