India’s First LVAD Heart Pump Implant in Nearly 80-Year-Old Heart Failure Patient

Setting a first-of-its-kind milestone in cardiac care in India, MGM Healthcare has successfully implanted a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), a mechanical heart pump, in a nearly 80-year-old retired Chennai resident suffering from advanced heart failure and co-morbidities including low blood pressure, worsening kidney function, and lung congestion. The patient’s heart had become too weak to pump enough blood to the rest of the body, the vital function performed by the left ventricle. This condition is known as left ventricular failure, or advanced left ventricular systolic heart failure. As a result, he frequently suffered severe breathlessness and required repeated ICU admissions. On one occasion, he had to be readmitted to the ICU on the very same day he was discharged from the hospital. Seeking a permanent solution to his recurring breathlessness and the underlying heart condition, the patient opted for advanced definitive treatment. Considering his advanced age, fragile clinical condition and worsening kidney function, the medical team ruled out heart transplantation and instead opted for implantation of a LVAD. The device sits inside the left ventricle and takes over much of the pumping function. The LVAD implantation was performed by the team lead Dr. K R Balakrishnan, Chairman- Cardiac Sciences, Director- Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant & mechanical Circulatory Support and Dr. Suresh Rao K G, Co- Director- Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant & mechanical Circulatory Support at MGM Healthcare. The intervention was successful, following which the patient recovered in hospital for three weeks before being discharged. He is now living independently, able to go for regular walks and leading an active, brisk life. In his comments, Dr. K R Balakrishnan said, “Our heart works as a two-sided pump, the right side sends blood to the lungs, while the left side pumps blood to the rest of the body. In this patient, the left side had become extremely weak and was barely able to perform its function, which is why he was experiencing frequent breathlessness and repeated hospitalisations. A conventional heart transplant was not feasible because of his advanced age, fragile condition and worsening kidney function. Even LVAD implantation carried significant risk, as multiple organs were beginning to fail. We therefore carried out a comprehensive evaluation, including heart function studies, lung pressure assessment, and checks of all major organs from the kidneys to the brain. Although LVAD is usually an elective procedure, in his case there was little time to wait as his organs were deteriorating, making timely intervention critical. We are extremely happy that the procedure went well.” In his comments, Dr. Suresh Rao said, “LVAD technology was originally introduced as a bridge-to-transplant option for very sick patients awaiting a donor heart. Today, it is also being used selectively as a long-term therapy for patients who may not undergo transplantation. While the hospital has implanted LVADs in many patients below 65 years of age, this is the first time it has performed the procedure in a patient close to 80 years old. In his comments Mr. Nilesh Mundada, COO, MGM Healthcare & Sr. VP – Finance, MGM Group, said, “MGM Healthcare's commitment has reflected the milestone of pushing past the boundaries of advanced cardiac care as well as bringing in life-saving innovations to patients. The successful implanting of LVAD in a nearly 80-year-old patient, who had an advanced heart failure, emphasizes the strength of our experts. As heart failure continues to emerge as a growing health challenge, we will remain committed to delivering world-class treatment solutions that help us improve the outcomes and give patients renewed hope and quality of life.