Published On: 2015-08-11

New Delhi: Technological advancement has brought a paradigm shift in the way complex heart treatment is being done, and this is critical given that heart ailments have alarmingly replaced communicable diseases as biggest killers. 

In one such case, Karwan Ghafour Mohmmed‎, a 32-year-old business man from Kurdistan received a life-saving artificial heart implant at BLK Super Speciality Hospital, thanks to successful implantation of Left Ventricular Assistive Devise (LVAD).

Dr Ajay Kaul, Chairman & HoD, Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS), BLK Super Speciality Hospital, lead the team of highly specialized surgeons to perform a successful LVAD implant on July 15.

Dr Kaul informed, "Mohmmed came to us with terminal heart condition (cardiomyopathy). We found that he had a disease in his heart muscle that makes it very weak and heart can't eject blood, which eventually starts failing. Also in such cases there is no treatment possible. However, we tried to treat him medically first but his breathlessness kept increasing and he could not walk even few steps. He was waiting for implant but due to acute shortage of donors that was not possible."

Dr Kaul further added, "Mohmmed was explained that there is an option for him where an artificial heart can be implanted which can improve his chances of survival and keep him alive till a heart is available for replacement. Even if a heart is not available, he can survive for 10 years on this miniature machine." 

Till some time ago, for terminal heart failure patients, heart implant was the only treatment available. However, the acute shortage of donors made it difficult - worldwide just over 2500 implants were done, while in whole of North India only 2 such implants took place in last 6 months. "LVAD is a great leap of technology that gives many a good alternative," said Dr Kaul.

Despite very complex and difficult operation, the doctors were able to pull it off placing LVAD, successfully. LVAD, a machine which functions like the heart, offers a ray of hope to thousands of patients whose hearts are too weak to survive a life-saving surgery and those waiting for heart implant. There were chances of heavy blood loss which was prevented. This LVAD has 8 rechargeable batteries and each battery lasts for 12 hours. This means that the patient can comfortably survive for 4 days continuously without charging the batteries, added Dr Kaul further.

This 6 hours long surgery involved a total 12 specialists from different departments including 3 surgeons. LVAD has now become a revolutionary technique which could increase the chances of survival for 10-12 extra years if the treatment can be afforded. Swimming best be avoided by the LVAD patient apart from maintaining good hygiene to avoid any occurrence of infection.

Dr Kaul said, "In India, around 5-6 lakh patients die every year because of heart failure. Even in United States, where the awareness is very good and people donate organs, still not more than 1500 operation are performed every year. Over 2,00,000 patients all over the world are on waiting list because of availability of the donors. In Delhi, not more than 5-6 LVADS implants have been performed in last 2 years ".

"I am young and have a family to support. When doctors advised that my heart has failed completely and has only one option for survival. I immediately agreed for artificial heart implant as real heart was not available. I am now very happy with the feeling that I can now survive for 10-12 years more normally," said Mohammed. 

LVAD is a tiny machine which is placed by the side of the heart and is connected with two tubes in such a way that it sucks blood from the heart and pushes it in the body. It is a highly sophisticated machine which keeps on pumping 5 to 10 litres of blood in the body and continues working for years.

About BLK Super Speciality Hospital

BLK Super Specialty is one of the largest private hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi with a capacity of 650 beds including 125 critical care beds. The outpatient services are spread over two floors with 57 consultation rooms. All ambulatory services are smartly designed to ensure quick access to interventional services. The Hospital has 17 state-of-the-art well equipped modular operation theaters and a world-class pathology lab. The Hospital is equipped with most modern infrastructure, and  eminent doctors drive its Centers of Excellence. The hospital has Asia’s largest Bone Marrow Implant Units. We have deployed very high-end technologies such as Cyberknife VSI, TriologyTxLinear Accelerator, Bi Plane Neuro Interventional lab which are geared to address complex medical needs of patients. Our infrastructure and services stand testimony to BLK’s philosophy ofA Passion for Healing. The hospital is owned and managed by Radiant Life Care, which also manages Mumbai’s iconic Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital.