Mumbai patient the first in city to undergo LVAD surgery

As a number of people suffer from heart failure VAD is now considered as a permanent solution to end stage heart failure management. It is a therapy for those patients who don’t get a suitable donor or those who can’t survive even after a heart transplant is done. The device enhances the quality of life of the recipient


(Standing from left to Right) Dr S Narayani, Zonal director and Dr Anvay Mulay, Head of Cardiac Team at Fortis Hospital, Mulund with LVAD recipient Arvind Doshi (centre) and his brother Jitendra Doshi

Mumbai sees its first successful Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) transplantation done at Fortis hospital at Mulund.

49-year-old Arvind Doshi from Mumbai suffered a massive heart attack five years ago. This lead to his heart failure. Doshi’s family underwent a lot of emotional trauma. But now there are no bounds to their happiness.

“It was big shock for us and we were really worried seeing his health worsening. He remained bedridden for almost six months. It was a very difficult situation for me and my family. But now this transplant has given him a new lease of life and we are really happy to see him back with an improvement health,” said Jitendra, brother of Doshi’s.

The surgery was performed by Dr Anvay Mulay, Head of Cardiac Transplant at Fortis Hospital. After having done the Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) transplantation in March he was discharged on Thursday.

Explaining us about Ventricular Assist Device, Dr Mulay said, “A ventricular assist device (VAD) is a mechanical pump that supports heart function and blood flow in people who have weakened hearts. These devices can support the function of the left, right, or both heart ventricles. The VAD includes tubes to carry blood out of your heart and to your blood vessels, a power source, and a control unit to monitor device function. The device may be used to support your heart until it recovers, to support your heart while you are waiting for a heart transplant, or to help your heart work better if you are not eligible for a heart transplant”.

He further added that, “As a number of people suffer from heart failure VAD is now considered as a permanent solution to end stage heart failure management. It is a therapy for those patients who don’t get a suitable donor or those who can’t survive even after a heart transplant is done. The device enhances the quality of life of the recipient”.

Highlighting the current situation of heart failure, Dr Mulay says that in India 50,000 heart failure people are registered with central government for a heart transplant.

All over India around 40 VAD transplantations has been performed whereas this is a first-of-its-kind transplant in Mumbai.

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