SIMS Hospital Gives New Lease of Life to 31-Year-Old with End-Stage Heart Failure
The entire transplantation process completed within four hours
Dilated cardiomyopathy is often an inherited condition, and in this case, the patient developed heart failure as a result of the condition.
Chennai, August 2026: SIMS Hospital gave a new lease of life to a 31-year-old with heart transplantation procedure. that progressed to a heart
The patient from Puducherry had been experiencing severe breathing difficulties since February. However, he sought medical attention only when he was unable to lie flat on his back and his breathing problems began to interfere with his daily activities.
An echocardiogram (ECHO) revealed severe left ventricular dysfunction with heart failure. A cardiac MRI subsequently confirmed the diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) with heart failure. In DCM, the heart muscle becomes enlarged and weakened, particularly the left ventricle, reducing the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. Over time, this condition had progressed to heart failure.
Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common type of cardiomyopathy and is often hereditary. During his hospitalisation, the patient suffered a cardiac arrest but was successfully resuscitated and his condition was stabilised.
After deciding that heart transplantation was the best treatment option, the medical team listed the patient for a transplant and began searching for a suitable donor heart based on blood group compatibility, body weight, age, crossmatch results, and immune compatibility. A suitable donor heart became available through the state’s organ sharing network.
The transplant team initiated the transportation process early in the morning. Meanwhile, another surgical team had already begun removing the patient’s diseased heart and placed the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass support, which temporarily took over the functions of the heart and lungs during the procedure. The transplant surgery was completed in approximately four hours.
Following the surgery, the patient was kept under intensive care monitoring for seven days.
The transplant team was led by Dr. Bashi, Chief Cardiac Surgeon and Director, ICAD, and comprised Dr. Rajeev Thilak Chellasamy, Heart Transplant Surgeon; Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, Cardiac Surgeon; Dr. Shilpa Menon, Heart Failure Cardiologist; Dr. Aju Jacob, Chief Cardiac Anaesthetist; Dr. Arunkumar, Cardiac Anaesthetist; and Dr. Kishore, Cardiac Anaesthetist.
Commenting on the procedure, Dr. Bashi said, “For patients with end-stage heart failure, a heart transplant offers renewed hope when all other treatment options have been exhausted. A successful heart transplant requires seamless multidisciplinary collaboration and coordination. Dedicated co-ordinated efforts of the transplant team and the donor centre was ensured for swift transportation of the donor organ without a single moment waster. Surgeons, cardiologists, anaesthesiologists, transplant coordinators, nurses, and critical care teams work as one to transform the gift of organ donation into a new beginning for the recipient.”
Dr. Rajeev Thilak said, “Since the patient had suffered a cardiac arrest during transportation of the donor heart and the transplant surgery were carried out with utmost hospitalisation, we meticulously planned every aspect of the transplant. Both the precision and care. Following the surgery, the patient will require close monitoring for the next six months, as the risk of organ rejection is highest during this period.
extends far beyond transplantation. Every patient undergoes a comprehensive evaluation to In her comments, Dr Shilpa Menon said. “The management of advanced heart failure determine the most appropriate treatment, which may include optimized medical therapy device-based treatment, mechanical circulatory support or heart transplantation. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to achieving the best possible outcomes.
reflects our commitment to advancing specialised cardiac care and providing patients access Dr. Ravi Pachamuthu. Chairman, SRM Group, said, “This successful heart transplant to complex, life-saving treatments. The achievement was made possible by the dedication of teams. At Simalistos purgeons, anmain committed to strengthening treatments medical capabilities and Cliniospitalertise, renaling patients to access complex treatments closer to coordinating advanced mupport home.”
Heart failure, especially in younger adults, severely affects quality of life and often requires frequent hospitalizations. It can also significantly limit their ability to work, pursue daily activities, and lead an active, independent life. Early diagnosis, timely medical management, lifestyle modifications, and regular follow-up are essential to control symptoms, prevent disease progression, and improve quality of life.