You might have seen in the news how a donor’s heart is carried to the recipient through air or by road, just in time for it to be transplanted to save their life. The complications and commitment needed for such a procedure baffle you, but do you know that a heart transplant is also a medical miracle? Let us look at the procedure closely to appreciate the scientific advancements that made it possible and the expertise of the medical practitioners and caregivers who make this an everyday reality.
Who Needs a Heart Transplant
The heart is a fist-sized muscle in the chest whose function is to receive impure blood from the body, purify it and circulate the pure oxygenated blood throughout the human body. Heart and blood form the basic blocks of life that sustain your body.
A heart transplant is an operation in which an ailing or failing heart is replaced with a healthy donor heart. This procedure is generally reserved for people whose condition has not improved with medications or other surgeries.
The Procedure
Before Surgery
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Patient evaluation: medical history, imaging (echocardiogram, CT, angiography) to locate defects or blockages.
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Decision on surgical approach: traditional (open) vs minimally invasive or off-pump techniques. Advantages/disadvantages weighed.
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Preparations: stopping certain medicines, fasting, and possible shaving and skin prep to reduce infection risk.
During Surgery
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Anaesthesia: The patient is placed under general anaesthesia. Vital functions (breathing, circulation) are monitored.
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Accessing the heart
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Traditional surgery: incision down the centre of the chest (sternum), breastbone opened to expose the heart.
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Minimally invasive: smaller incisions, sometimes between ribs; may use thoracoscopic or robotic tools.
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Support for heart function
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If the heart must be stopped, a heart-lung bypass machine (cardiopulmonary bypass) takes over circulation and oxygenation of blood.
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Off-pump or “beating heart” techniques: the heart is not stopped; surgeons use stabilising equipment to limit motion during grafting or repair.
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Repair or Replace
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For bypass surgery, healthy vessel grafts (from leg, chest, or arm) are used to route blood around blocked coronary arteries.
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For valve surgery: the diseased valve is repaired or replaced, depending on type and severity.
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For transplant: the failing heart is removed and replaced with a donor heart; major vessels are reconnected (atria, aorta, vena cavae, pulmonary arteries)
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Restoring normal circulation
After Surgery & Recovery
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Monitoring in Intensive Care Unit (ICU): vital signs, chest tubes to drain fluid, and possibly temporary pacing wires.
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Pain management, infection prevention, breathing support, and gradually increasing activity.
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Hospital stay is typically about a week for many procedures; longer if complications or combined procedures occur.
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Follow-up includes checkups, imaging/tests, lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, smoking cessation), and medications to maintain heart health.
Benefits and Impact
Extends survival period significantly by improving daily functioning and quality of life
Statistic: 85–90% 1-year survival rate after transplant globally
Risks & Challenges
Main advantages of a successful heart transplant: Most heart transplant patients live longer and enjoy a better quality of life. They have higher energy levels and improved general well-being. With these benefits, integrating into the normal life of daily habits and routines, regular schedules of work and travel, is easier
What Star Hospitals Does Differently
Star Hospitals is a state-of-the-art facility with world-class facilities for treating everything from cardiac and cancer issues to everyday ailments like colds and coughs. Their speciality is to treat with invasive, minimally invasive and non-invasive procedures for the nature of ailments
Expert Transplant Surgeons: Star Hospitals has a panel of internationally trained and supremely talented heart transplant surgeons whose expertise covers complex cases like heart transplants to minimally invasive techniques with evidence-based practices to ensure the best possible outcomes for heart transplant patients
Advanced ICU & Post-Operative Care: Star Hospital’s Intensive Care Units are equipped with cutting-edge monitoring systems and experienced critical-care specialists for round-the-clock monitoring. In place are Post-operative protocols which focus on reducing complications, managing pain, and supporting rapid recovery for the heart transplant patient
Holistic Rehabilitation Programs: After surgery, Star Hospitals offers patient-centric and structured rehabilitation programs that include physiotherapy, nutritional recommendations and psychological support. These programs help patients regain strength, adapt to lifestyle changes, and improve overall quality of life
Long-Term Patient Support: Dedicated transplant coordinators and follow-up sessions provide continuous care even after discharge till the patient recovers completely. From regular check-ups and medication management to patient education, family counselling and peer-support groups, Star Hospitals ensures sustained well-being for every heart-transplant recipient.
Book an appointment with STAR Hospitals today for advanced heart health care options.
