In a remarkable act of posthumous generosity, a 61-year-old man from Gurgaon, declared brain-dead following a tragic road accident, has gifted a second chance at life to a 54-year-old woman from Haryana who was battling end-stage heart failure. His heart was successfully transplanted into the recipient at Manipal Hospitals in Dwarka, Delhi, after being rushed through a green corridor.
A Race Against Time: The Critical Transplant
The recipient had been fighting a severe and progressive heart condition for several years. Her health had deteriorated to a critical point, with an ejection fraction—a key measure of the heart's pumping efficiency—plummeting to a mere 15%. She suffered from whole-body swelling, extreme fatigue, and breathlessness so severe that even lying down was a struggle.
Despite advanced medical interventions, including being on an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) for 10 days and undergoing cardiac resynchronisation therapy with defibrillator support (CRT-D), her condition continued to worsen. The search for a matching donor heart was urgent. An earlier potential donor heart from Indore was not a suitable match, extending the agonising wait.
The Perfect Match and Surgical Precision
Fifteen days later, hope arrived. The heart from the Gurgaon donor was found to be a perfect match for the ailing woman. The high-risk transplant surgery was led by Dr Yugal Kishore Mishra, Chairman of Manipal Institute of Cardiac Sciences and Chief Cardiovascular Surgeon at the hospital.
In a display of exceptional surgical skill and coordination, the complex procedure was completed in just 3 hours and 20 minutes. The new heart began beating strongly in the recipient's chest shortly after implantation.
Expert Insights on a Landmark Achievement
Dr Mishra highlighted the significance of this success, stating that it reflects years of dedicated effort in building a self-reliant heart failure and transplant programme. "The patient has shown remarkable recovery within 15 days," he noted. He also emphasised the silent yet rapid progression of cardiac disease in many women, making early diagnosis and timely intervention critical. "Finding a suitable donor heart within a month significantly improved her chances of survival," he added.
Viji Varghese, the Hospital Director, praised the seamless teamwork involved. "A heart transplant is one of the most complex interventions in cardiac care. This success was possible due to rapid decision-making, expert surgical execution and seamless teamwork," Varghese said.
This story stands as a powerful testament to the life-saving potential of organ donation and the advanced cardiac care capabilities within India's healthcare system. It underscores how a single decision to donate can triumph over tragedy and create a legacy of life.
