Mumbai witnesses its 32nd heart transplant

A 23-year-old man from Pune, suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy, underwent a successful transplant surgery at Fortis Hospital of Mulund

The city witnessed its 32nd heart transplant surgery, a day prior to the World Heart Day.

The family of the 25-year-old donated heart, kidneys, liver and corneas to six recipients.(For representation)

A 23-year-old man from Pune, suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy, underwent a successful transplant surgery at Fortis Hospital of Mulund on Wednesday. The patient, who was on the waiting list for more than two months, got the heart from a 25-year-old donor from Mumbai, who studied at Pune, and was declared brain-dead following acute intracerebral haemorrhage. The family of the 25-year-old donated heart, kidneys, liver and corneas to six recipients.

Doctors from Fortis Hospital, Mulund, retrieved the heart from Ruby Hall Hospital, Pune, at 1.44 AM. It reached Pune Airport at 01.51 AM. While a green corridor was laid out in both the cities for smooth transportation of the heart, the distance was covered within 1 hour and 3 minutes.

The harvested heart was transported out of the charter flight in Mumbai at 2.30 AM and reached Fortis Hospital, Mulund, at 2.47 AM. The preserved heart was immediately taken to the operation theatre and successfully transplanted by Dr Anvay Mulay, head of cardiac transplant team, Fortis hospital, Mulund.

Dr Anvay Mulay said, “The donor’s family deserves highest appreciation for saving six lives through their noble gesture. Our patient is now stable and has been moved to the intensive care unit. The next 48-72 hours will be critical. We will be closely monitoring him.”