When the heart loses the ability to function properly, every second is crucial. When one’s heart is failing, the only way to extend life is through advanced technological procedures and skilled interventions like heart transplantation.
The patient was diagnosed with end-stage cardiac failure. His heart was not able to pump sufficiently, hence, he was placed on an Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), a machine that oxygenates the blood. However, being a temporary procedure, the patient was taken off the machine and put on the Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD). A transplant was necessary for the patient.
Dr. Srinath Vijayasekharan, one of the best cardiothoracic and transplant surgeons in India, performed the heart transplant. The case was extremely critical as the patient’s heart had no ability to pump any further.
“His heart was in cardiogenic shock. There was no pumping action. The machine was doing all the work for him,” said Dr. Srinath. “We had to get him to the point where we can place a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) and bridge him to transplant.”
In other words, the patient required a complex and rare procedure called the ECMO-LVAD bridge to heart transplant. It involved moving the patient from ECMO to LVAD. A transplant was necessary as there was no other alternative for the patient to survive.
The LVAD is a mechanical device that takes over the function of the left side of the heart. It is a highly specialized procedure and requires a team of experts. With the help of LVAD, the patient was bridged to transplant.
“He had the best possible care,” said Dr. Srinath. “Each one of these procedures, from ECMO to LVAD to heart transplant, carries a high risk. We got him through all of them safely.”
The successful case is a milestone for Dr. Srinath, who is a heart transplant pioneer in India. “This is truly a remarkable achievement. Such a complicated procedure is not possible without the help of advanced technology and the skill of a competent team of doctors,” he remarked.
The case is also a pointer to the fact that Dr. Srinath is one of the most competent cardiac surgeons in the country. He has the skill, knowledge, and experience to manage such complicated cases.
