MGM Healthcare Performs Historic Back-to-Back Heart and Lung Transplants

Chennai, June 2024: MGM Healthcare is proud to announce yet another landmark achievement in medical history with the completion of a marathon of heart and lung transplant surgeries, where four heart transplants and one bilateral lung transplant were successfully performed within 30hours. Dr. K R Balakrishnan, Director of the Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support, MGM Healthcare, and Dr. Suresh Rao KG, Co-Director of the Institute, led a dedicated team that rose to the challenge, seamlessly performing these transplants.

This extraordinary accomplishment highlights our hospital’s unparalleled capabilities in organ transplantation. MGM Healthcare stands as the only hospital in India capable of performing multiple organ transplants consecutively. This achievement required exemplary readiness and coordination among various departments, including surgical suites, organ transplant units, cardiology, imaging, ultrasound, intensive care, and nursing.

Details of the transplants:

1) A 60-year-old patient, Mr. Surendra Kumar (name changed),underwent a heart transplant on May 25, 2024. The organ from a deceased donor was transported from a Chennai-based hospital. The heart was harvested at 1:10 PM and brought to MGM Healthcare at 1:50 PM.

2) A 50-year-old patient, Mr. Radhakrishnan (name changed),underwent a heart transplant on May 25, 2024. The organ was from a deceased donor from Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. The heart was harvested at 10:52 PM and brought to MGM Healthcare at 11:05 PM.

3) A 67-year-old patient, Mr. Sailesh (name changed),underwent a bilateral lung transplantation on May 25, 2024. The organ was from a deceased donor from Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH). The lungs were harvested at 10:52 PM and brought to MGM Healthcare at 11:05 PM (same donor as above).

4) A 40- year-old patient, Mr. Mohammed Aslam (name changed), underwent a heart transplant on May 26, 2024. The organ was from a brain-dead donor from MGM Healthcare. The organ was harvested at 11:44 AM, and the transplant was performed shortly after.

5) A 50-year-old patient, Mr. Nitish Singh (name changed),underwent a heart transplant on May 26, 2024. The organ was from a deceased donor from a Coimbatore-based hospital. The heart was harvested at 2:45 PM, airlifted from Coimbatore at 4:00 PM, and reached MGM Healthcare by 5:15 PM.

Dr. K.R. Balakrishnan, Director, Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support, MGM Healthcare, stated, “This achievement was made possible only by the relentless efforts of our multidisciplinary team. From transplant coordinators to the surgical team, nurses, and post-operative care units, every member played a crucial role in ensuring the success of these five complex transplants. Being prepared to perform back-to-back surgeries is a strength in itself; the pressure is immense, especially as we were receiving donor organs that matched five of our patients on the waitlist. Every second counts, and the margin for error is virtually non-existent. Each surgery is a lifeline for a patient waiting for a second chance at life, and each case comes with its own complexities, from the donor-recipient match to the recipient’s physical and mental demands.”

Dr. KG. Suresh Rao, Co-Director, Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support, MGM Healthcare, “Our unit has done more than 650 heart and lung transplants so far. The timing of donor organ availability is unpredictable. Somehow we got multiple donor matches, and we have completed five continuous transplants within 30 hours; this time it was a marathon surgery. It requires a dedicated team with full commitment, informed team coordination, and good infrastructure; all this is present at MGM Healthcare, and we could achieve it.” 

Mr. Harish Manian, Group CEO of MGM Healthcare, commented, “It’s not just about the advanced technology and state-of-the-art facilities, but the exceptional talent and unwavering dedication of our doctors at MGM Healthcare. Their ability to maintain peak performance under such intense pressure speaks volumes about their professionalism and commitment to patient care. Heart and lung transplantation is among the most complex and delicate procedures in medicine, requiring unparalleled skill, precision, and dedication. Each successful transplant is a beacon of hope and has a direct impact on the lives of patients and their families. This remarkable feat exemplifies our hospital’s mission to deliver cutting-edge, compassionate care. It’s moments like these that highlight the profound difference we can make in the world, one life at a time. Our mission at MGM Healthcare is to push the boundaries of what’s possible in healthcare; heart and lung transplants are a perfect example of this. The dedication and skill of our medical professionals inspire us all to strive for excellence, ensuring that we provide the best possible care for those who need it most.”

MGM Healthcare facilitated the transportation of five donor organs via dedicated green corridors, ensuring timely arrival crucial for the patients’ survival. This effort was supported by local law enforcement and traffic management authorities, allowing for rapid and unhindered passage from the donor hospitals to MGM Healthcare.

This remarkable accomplishment sets a new benchmark in transplant surgery and showcases the exceptional skill, endurance, and dedication of the team led by Dr. K R Balakrishnan, Dr. KG Suresh Rao, Dr. Ravikumar and Dr. Soumitra Sinha Roy. MGM Healthcare continues to be a leader in heart and lung transplants in India, having completed more than 650 heart and lung transplants with success rates on par with the finest medical centers in the world.

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