For patients with advanced or end-stage heart failure, the heart pumps known as mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices can help restore blood flow, increase survival and improve quality of life.
For long-term support, the two most commonly used types of MCS devices are left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and Total Artificial Heart (TAH). These devices can be used in several ways.
Bridge to Transplant
An MCS device can be used to improve survival and quality of life in patients waiting for a donor heart to become available for transplant. This use is known as the bridge to transplant (BTT).
Destination Therapy
In patients who are not eligible to receive a heart transplant because of age or other medical conditions, an MCS device can be implanted as a permanent option to extend survival and improve their quality of life. This use is known as Destination Therapy (DT).
Bridge to Recovery
Occasionally, patients implanted with an LVAD may experience recovery of their heart function and be able to have the device removed. This is known as the bridge to recovery (BTR).
Total Artificial heart is similar to a heart transplant and works as a human heart, it improves blood flow to the entire body, maintains oxygenation, and is helpful among patients who have symptoms of heart failure. It is compatible with patients of all ages from young to old.
Total Artificial Heart is an implantable device that replaces the right and left ventricles, as well as four heart valves, and occupies the space of the removed, failing human heart. The TAH is used in patients with end-stage heart failure affecting both sides of the heart (biventricular failure).
Cost of Total Artificial heart transplant
The cost of Total Artificial Heart Transplant goes from a minimum of USD 90,000 to 500,000 depending on the type of hospital, the experience of a team of doctors conducting the surgery, length of stay in hospital, medications, physiotherapy, follow up visits, investigations, devise cost and counseling conducted for patients post-procedure.
Before surgery, the doctor would identify whether you are eligible or not eligible for a Total Artificial heart prosthesis. Few tests are conducted to make sure that you are free from any infections and severe medical illnesses.
Tests conducted include a Blood test that includes Complete blood count, chest MRI, CT scan, X-ray, Electrocardiogram (ECG), Echocardiogram.
The team of doctors specialized in the department would explain the pre-surgery care, medications that need to be taken, post-surgery care, how the device looks, how it is fitted in the body, how the device would work.
You need motivation and complete mental and emotional support from family members and friends at this point
The Total Artificial heart transplant is a complex surgical process performed by a specialized team of doctors and nurses.
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, the vitals are properly checked and maintained once the anesthesia is given. Heart rate, blood pressure, breathing is maintained.
A cut is given at the chest area by the doctor, Total artificial heart prosthesis is attached to the aorta and pulmonary artery. The prosthesis is implanted and is checked properly how it is working. If the pumping is normal the chest area is closed temporarily. After few days when all the tests confirm everything is in good condition, final closure in the chest area is done by doctors.
The recovery post-surgery completely depends upon how well your body responds to Total Artificial Heart. You might need a hospital stay for 25 days or more depending on your medical condition.
The team of doctors and nurses would keep a check on how well the prosthesis is working. You would get your nutrition from intravenous fluids or a feeding tube.
You would be advised to start normal daily activities like going to the washroom, getting up from bed, slow walk in the hospital only. With that physiotherapy by physiotherapists would be carried out regularly.
With time the food would be given orally and all the tests like Blood tests, Electrocardiogram, Chest x-ray would be conducted again to check the normal functioning of Total Artificial Heart.
Your family members and friends would be advised to keep a check on your physical, mental, and emotional health and to motivate you to adapt to a new lifestyle.
Following are the best 10 hospitals for Total Artificial Heart (TAH) Transplant in the world:
| # | Hospital | Country | City | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MIOT International | India | Chennai | --- | |
| 2 | Medipol Mega University Hospital | Turkey | Istanbul | --- | |
| 3 | Evercare Hospital Dhaka | Bangladesh | Dhaka | --- | |
| 4 | MGM Healthcare, Chennai | India | Chennai | --- | |
| 5 | Fortis Hospital Mulund | India | Mumbai | --- | |
| 6 | MIOT International | India | Chennai | --- | |
| 7 | Max Super Specialty Hospital Saket | India | New Delhi | --- | |
| 8 | Centro Médico Teknon - Grupo Quironsalud | Spain | Barcelona | --- | |
| 9 | Indraprastha Apollo Hospital Delhi | India | New Delhi | --- |
Following are the best doctors for Total Artificial Heart (TAH) Transplant in the world:
| # | DOCTOR | SPECIALITY | HOSPITAL |
|---|
The age should be less than 70 years of age. A patient who needs a transplant due to the end stage of heart disease. Patients with severe heart failure. A patient needs an urgent transplant due to severe heart failure and if the transplant is not done immediately there could be a risk to life. Patient suffering from both ventricular failure.
A patient who is more than 70 years of age is not eligible for a Total Artificial heart transplant. Patients suffering from serious medical conditions are not eligible. Patients with weak immune responses are not eligible candidates. Patients with severe infections are not the ideal candidate. Patients who are not fit mentally and emotionally to adapt to Total artificial heart are not the ideal candidate
Although 70 ccs Total Artificial heart is approved currently as Bridge to Transplant, still clinical trials are going on to use 70cc Total artificial heart as destination therapy for the patients who don't fulfill eligibility criteria for receiving a donor heart transplant.
Although the life expectancy with a Total artificial heart is 4-5 months, in several cases, patients have survived with a Total artificial heart device for more than 4 years.
Once you are discharged from the hospital you would be advised – • Resume your daily activities slowly. • Take good care of your health by taking a healthy and nutritious diet. • Start your day with a small walk very light exercise. • Muscle-strengthening exercise with the help of a physiotherapist is important. • Visit your doctor as advised regularly. • Take your medications as prescribed by your doctor on a time and regular basis. • Prevent yourself from infections and if you feel any of the symptoms contact your doctor immediately. • Get your blood tests and radiological examination on time and as advised. • If you are the candidate who is on the waiting list for a heart transplant stay in touch with the center.
Total Artificial Heart could not be used in babies, toddlers due to its large size. However, it could be easily used in children above 9 years of age.
The recovery post-surgery completely depends upon how well your body responds to Total Artificial Heart. Some patients observe immediate improvement, some patients might observe improvement in few days. You could start your normal daily activities within 2 to 3 days. A well-balanced diet, small walks, and strong mental and emotional stability are most important for quick recovery.
Yes, once you and your team of doctors start observing improvement you are discharged from the hospital, and you could wait for the donor's heart at your home.
Various complications could be seen during surgery or recovery period in an Artificial heart transplant. The most common complication is the formation of Blood clots. These clots prevent oxygen supply to the blood and thus cause a life-threatening situation. Take your anti-clotting drugs as advised by your doctor regularly without giving it a miss. Post-surgery, you might get infections or be at risk of infections. Thus keep a check on symptoms of infections and contact your healthcare provider immediately. Other complications include Increase or decrease in blood pressure, bleeding.
Total Artificial Heart is available at more than 140 Syncardia certified centers in 20 countries. A comprehensive training program is conducted in each center to become Syncardia Certified Center.
Yes, most large private and government insurance companies provide the insurance coverage. You must check with your insurance company regarding the same as coverage differ from country to country
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The information on this page was reviewed and approved by Mozocare team. This page was updated on 21 Oct, 2021.