Heart & Lung Transplant at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Kurla
When heart or lung failure has reached a stage where medicines and other treatments no longer give adequate relief, transplantation may be considered. CritiCare Asia Hospitals is a heart and lung transplant hospital in Mumbai where patients and families are given a clear account of what the evaluation, surgery and recovery involve. The heart and lungs share much of the same circulation, so failure in one often strains the other, and care is planned with that in mind. At the Kurla centre, patients can be assessed for heart and lung transplant in Kurla, Mumbai through a structured, step-by-step evaluation.
Symptoms of Advanced Heart and Lung Failure
These signs often build slowly over months, and they are easy to put down to age or fitness:
- Breathlessness on mild effort, or even at rest
- Swelling in the legs, ankles or abdomen
- Constant tiredness and weakness
- Persistent cough or wheeze, sometimes with frothy sputum
- Needing extra pillows or sitting upright to breathe at night
- Chest discomfort or a racing, irregular heartbeat
- Dependence on oxygen, or repeated hospital stays for chest infections
Understanding Heart Failure and When Transplant Is Considered
Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle can no longer pump enough blood for the body's needs. It is rarely sudden. More often, it is the result of years of strain from a condition that was never fully controlled. Many patients are managed with medicines and lifestyle changes for a long time, but some reach a stage where heart transplant becomes the appropriate option.
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure, which gradually weakens the heart's pumping
- Coronary artery disease, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle and often leading to heart attack and lasting damage
- Cardiomyopathy, disease of the heart muscle itself, ranging from thickening to weakening of the wall
- Long-standing arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat that can wear down the muscle over time
Understanding Chronic Lung Disease and When Transplant Is Considered
Chronic lung conditions can steadily limit breathing, even with full medical treatment. Walking, climbing stairs, and speaking in full sentences can become exhausting.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive airflow limitation often linked to long-term smoking or occupational exposure
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD), scarring of lung tissue that stiffens the lungs
- Cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition causing lung damage from repeated infections and mucus build-up
- Primary pulmonary hypertension, raised pressure in the lung's blood vessels that strains both lungs and heart
Patients who depend on oxygen, suffer recurrent infections, or are admitted often despite treatment are typically those for whom lung transplant evaluation is considered, particularly when quality of life has been badly affected.
Who Is Eligible for Transplantation
Eligibility depends on overall health, the severity of organ failure, and the likelihood of a good recovery from major surgery and long-term immunosuppression. The assessment includes heart and lung function tests, infection screening, and a psychological evaluation, because recovery demands physical and emotional readiness. The evaluation by transplant specialists is thorough by design, to find patients for whom transplant genuinely offers a meaningful improvement in health and daily function.
Before, During and After the Transplant
Before: Full testing confirms suitability, along with counselling on the realities of major surgery and lifelong care afterwards. Patients and families are guided through what to expect, so that the decision to go ahead is made with the benefits and the commitment clearly understood.
During: The diseased heart or lung is removed and replaced with a matched donor organ, with close coordination between surgical, anaesthesia and critical care teams. Combined heart-lung cases depend especially on precise timing and communication.
After: Early recovery focuses on monitoring for organ acceptance, infection and other complications, with immunosuppressant therapy started to protect the new organ. The first weeks are the most closely observed. Follow-up continues for years, tracking organ function and adjusting treatment to balance rejection prevention against side effects.
Heart & Lung Transplant at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Kurla
Care at Kurla is delivered by coordinated teams from cardiology, pulmonology, transplant surgery and critical care, working together from first evaluation through years of follow-up. Monitoring protocols aim to catch complications early, and patients are told in simple terms what recovery and long-term management involve, in hospital and at home, including likely costs. If transplant is being discussed for heart or lung failure, book a consultation with transplant doctors in Kurla at CritiCare Asia Hospitals for the evaluation plan.