: Organ Transplantation

Heart Transplant

Heart transplant is a surgical procedure where the diseased or failed heart is replaced with a heart from a brain dead patient.

What are the indications of heart transplant?
A heart transplant is a surgical transplant procedure performed on patients with end-stage heart failure or severe coronary artery disease when other medical or surgical treatments have failed.

Who cannot receive a heart transplant?
Patients with advanced kidney, liver or lung diseases, patients with active malignancies or active infections and patients with high pulmonary vascular resistance cannot have a heart transplant.

Pre-Transplant Procedures
Heart transplant involves lots of tests that need to be performed to confirm the health status of the patient. Also a lot of lifestyle modifications have to be made well in advance of the transplantation. You should be always ready for the transplant as you never know when you will be called.

Transplant Surgery
Heart transplant surgery is a less complicated surgery .An incision is made through the breastbone. The failed heart is removed and the donor heart is transplanted and all the blood vessels are connected.

After the transplant
You will be able to leave the hospital within two weeks. Immunosuppressants, the medication that prevents your body from rejecting the heart has to be taken daily without fail. You will have to strictly adhere to the diet, medications, lifestyle modifications and follow ups as prescribed to stay without complications.

Liver Transplant

Liver transplant is the procedure where the infected or diseased liver is replaced with a part or whole of new liver from the donor. Liver transplantation is the only option for liver failure as nothing else can replace the liver function as in kidney failure where dialysis can be done to sustain life.

What are the indications of liver transplant?
A patient with severe acute or chronic liver failure and a higher MELD score (Points according to the severity of illness), who cannot survive without a transplant.

Who cannot receive a liver transplant?
The absolute contraindications for liver transplant are alcohol/substance abuse, malignancy, HIV infection, advanced heart & lung diseases and severe infections. Pre transplant procedures
As part of the pre transplant work up you will have to get certain tests done and will have to consult some doctors to confirm that you are fit for the transplant. Cross matching will be done to ensure your body does not have any antibodies against the new liver. Your transplant will be postponed or cancelled if you develop any infection or disease prior to your transplant. So it is important to eat healthy and stay fit.

Transplant surgery
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia .An incision is made under the ribs and the diseased liver is removed. Later the donor liver is transplanted and the blood vessels are connected. The surgery lasts for 6-12 hours.

After the transplant
You will be able to leave the hospital within two or three weeks. Immunosuppressants, the medication that prevents your body from rejecting the new liver has to be taken daily without fail. You will have to strictly adhere to the diet, medications and follow ups as prescribed to stay without complications.

Kidney Transplant

Kidney transplant is the surgical procedure where the damaged/failed kidney is replaced by a new kidney from a donor. In the End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), dialysis or kidney transplantation are the only options to sustain life. Transplant is a better option as it provides a better quality of life and higher rehabilitation.

What are the indications of kidney transplant?
A patient with End Stage Renal Disease, with GFR < 15 ml/min/1.73m² who is medically fit can undergo a renal transplant.

Who cannot receive a kidney transplant?
Obese patients and patients with malignancies or active infections cannot receive a transplant. Pre transplant procedures Before the transplant, you will have to undergo a series of tests which reveals whether you are healthy enough to receive a transplant. A test (Cross match) is performed to check if you have any antibodies against the donor kidney which is the cause for graft rejection. A positive cross match is an absolute contraindication for transplant. Your transplant will be postponed or cancelled if you develop any infection or disease prior to your transplant. So it is important to eat healthy and stay fit.

Transplant surgery
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. An incision is made on the lower abdomen just above the groin. The donor kidney is connected to the blood vessels and ureter is connected to the urinary bladder. The surgery usually lasts for 3-5 hours.

After the transplant
You will be able to leave the hospital within a week. Immunosuppressants, the medication that prevents your body from rejecting the new kidney has to be taken daily without fail. You will have to strictly adhere to the diet, medications and follow ups as prescribed to stay without complications.

  • 1
  • 2