Heart Transplant- When doctor recommend going for it

1. A heart transplant is a major surgery for human heart replacement. Typically, this heart surgery is performed by a cardiac surgeon when other procedures cannot correct the heart’s dysfunction. In this article, Dr. Sujay Shad- a renowned cardiac surgeon for open heart surgery in Delhi, will address the possible situations when a heart surgeon can recommend a heart transplant. So read the post carefully. Causes of Heart Failure Heart failure occurs when this body organ stops functioning. This includes the interrupted blood supply to resting body parts. There are various reasons for heart failure, some of them are listed below: 1. Cardiomyopathy/ Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM/DCMP) Cardiomyopathy is a medical condition of heart muscle weakness. DCM affects the heart muscles and makes it difficult to support the heart in pumping blood to the rest of the body. Different types of cardiomyopathy include arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Among all types of cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy most commonly occurs when the heart muscle becomes weak and enlarged, leading to decreased blood flow and heart failure. dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive, and Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes thickened. Such heart muscles also make it difficult for the heart to pump blood. When the heart muscle stiffens, restrictive cardiomyopathy develops, making it challenging for the heart to expand and fill with blood. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy is a rare hereditary condition that affects the heart's right ventricle and causes arrhythmias and heart failure.

2. Breathlessness, chest pain, exhaustion, fainting, and swelling in the legs and feet are some of the signs and symptoms of cardiomyopathy. Genetic abnormalities, infections, alcohol or drug misuse, and some medications are only a few of the many causes of the illness. Depending on the nature and severity of the ailment, cardiomyopathy is treatable, but after a saturation point, the heart muscles stop responding to the medication and cause heart failure. Heart failure caused by cardiomyopathy leads to heart transplants. 2. Heart Valve Repair Valve failure also causes heart failure. Whenever one is diagnosed with one or all valve heart valve damage, this may cause stenosis or regurgitation. Symptoms of heart valve repair are: ● breathing problems ● chest discomfort ● Palpitations ● Fatigue and exhaustion ● Unsteadiness or faintness ● abnormal heartbeat Whenever heart failure is caused by valve failure, cardiac surgeons correct that malfunction through tricuspid, pulmonary, aortic, and mitral valve repair in India. If the occurrence of heart failure remains the same even after valve repair, heart specialists can recommend a heart transplant. 3. Blockage of the Coronary Artery Cholesterol is the most common cause of heart failure. Due to the deposition of heart veins, the blood supply gets disturbed, and a heart attack occurs. Blockage of the coronary arteries is treatable. To do so, a heart surgeon in India prepared an alternate pathway using the leg's long vein to keep the blood supply to the heart intact. But due to age and an unhealthy lifestyle, CABG can also be unable to stop the frequency of heart attacks. The doctor may prescribe a heart transplant for someone who has already undergone CABG surgery and still had an attempted heart attack. 4. Arrhythmia An irregular heartbeat is the hallmark of the medical condition of arrhythmia. The sinoatrial (SA) node, also referred to as the heart's natural pacemaker, initiates the electrical signal that begins each beat of the heart's regular rhythm. Arrhythmias happen when the electrical impulses that regulate the heart's rhythm are interfered with, causing the heart to beat too quickly, slowly, or irregularly. Arrhythmias can take many different forms, including: 1. Atrial fibrillation: A disorder in which the heart's upper chambers (the atria) beat erratically and out of time with its lower chambers (the ventricles).

3. 2. Ventricular fibrillation: A potentially fatal disorder in which the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart, quiver instead of contracting regularly, preventing blood flow to the body and brain. 3. Supraventricular tachycardia is when the heart beats abnormally quickly due to electrical impulses from above the ventricles. 4. Bradycardia: A condition in which the heart beats too slowly, frequently due to issues with the heart's internal pacemaker. 5. Premature ventricular contractions: Occasionally, additional heartbeats can make the heart feel as though it is skipping a beat. 6. A rare hereditary disorder called long QT syndrome can lead to abrupt arrhythmias and fainting spells. Depending on the nature and severity of the problem, arrhythmia symptoms might vary, but they can also include palpitations, fainting, shortness of breath, and chest pain. While being examined or tested by a doctor regularly, some arrhythmias may not show symptoms. Arrhythmias can be treated with medication, dietary modifications, and, in some situations, operations like cardioversion, catheter ablation, pacemaker, or defibrillator implantation, depending on the kind and severity of the condition. The ideal treatment strategy for a patient with an arrhythmia can be determined with the aid of a healthcare professional. The procedure of a Heart Transplant A heart transplant is a major surgical procedure. It involves the replacement of a diseased or damaged heart with a healthy donor heart. This open heart surgery typically takes several hours and requires a team of experienced heart transplant surgeons, anesthesiologists, and critical care specialists. An overview of the heart transplant procedure is as follows: 1. Evaluation and preparation Before the procedure, the patient will go through several medical examinations and tests to assess their general health and establish their suitability for a heart transplant. In addition, the patient will receive counselling to help them mentally and emotionally prepare for the transplant procedure. 2. Anaesthesia A general anaesthetic will be administered to the patient, putting them into a deep sleep and preventing their ability to feel discomfort throughout the procedure. 3. Incision and Removal of Diseased Heart To reach the heart, the surgeon will make a significant chest incision. By severing the blood veins and other connective tissues that hold the patient's damaged heart to the body, the surgeon will remove it. A thorough examination will be performed to ensure the heart is acceptable for transplantation.

4. 4. Implantation of the donor's heart Sutures will affix the new heart to the remaining blood vessels and tissues in the chest while it is transferred in a sterile container and attached to the patient's blood vessels. 5. Re-establishment of blood flow The surgeon will reconnect the blood arteries and other components severed during the procedure once the new heart has been implanted in the patient. This will allow the heart to once again receive blood flow. 6. Closing the incision The surgeon will close the incision with sutures or staples and apply dressings to the wound. 7. Postoperative care After the operation, the patient will remain under close observation in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a few days to ensure the new heart works well and manage any potential issues. The patient will need to maintain a healthy lifestyle, attend regular follow-up sessions with their doctor, and take drugs to prevent the new heart from being rejected after leaving the hospital. To assist the patient in recovering from the operation and regaining strength and function, cardiac rehabilitation may also be suggested. The quality of the donor's heart, compliance with the advised postoperative care plan, general health, and other variables affect how well a heart transplant works. To learn more about heart transplants, schedule a consultation with Dr. Sujay Shad- the top heart surgeon in Delhi, India, at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.