Narayana Hrudayalaya performs Asia's first artificial heart transplantation

NI Wire

New Delhi

Thu, 10 Apr 2008: 

Indian Cardiologist scripted their name to be among the pioneers after performing Asia’s first artificial heart transplant successfully in a 54-year-old man. This was 221st of its kind and first in Asia.

The distinguished doctors of Narayana Hrudayalaya successfully transplanted the heart on Venkata Krhnaiah; under the guidance of experts from University of Minnesota, the US.

Dr Devi Shetty, chairman and chief cardiologist, Narayana Hrudayalaya later informed the reporters that Krishnaiah was a diabetic patient and quitted his job as an engineer in the state owned Power Transmission Corporation following heart problems a few years ago.

“The hospital learnt about artificial heart transplants being successfully performed at the University of Minnesota and sent its doctors T R Rajesh and R Bhagirath for training,” he added.

The doctors after returning from the three month training performed it with other experts. Showing its noble gesture the hospital waived the entire cost of the surgery which amounted at Rs 45 Lakh including Rs 35 lakh cost on Ventrassist (Left Ventricular Assist Device) and Rs 10 lakh surgery expenses.

“Ventrassist is being manufactured by an Australian based company and is a new third generation implantable blood pump primarily designed as an alternative to heart transplantation to people with heart failure. We want to perform this surgery on those who are ready to bear the gadget cost. Hospital charges would be waived,” Dr Shetty further said.

For people like Krishnaiah, it is like re-birth who relinquished his job and day by day he was developing complication even after undergoing by pass surgery. In India though millions of people suffer by heart failure and many die each year in absence of donors, and the patient with chronic condition are left with no option but implantation of LVAD.

Narayana Hrudayalaya was set up in 2001 by Dr. Devi Shetty under the aegis of the Asian Heart Foundation (AHF). Situated in Bangalore, the hospital is known for its excellence and is one of the world’s largest Pediatric heart hospitals.