Heart transplantation in India—are we there yet?

Heart transplantation in India

“…Durable ventricular assist device implantation started in India in 2012 but further growth has been hampered by the paucity of financial, infrastructure and political backing. 11 Availability of viable bridging MCS options is important for several end-stage heart failure patients in India as late presentations or referrals are common. In addition, the absence of insurance reimbursement translates to patients bearing all the expenses.…”

“…1 All the initiatives are focused on adult transplants only, while pediatric organ donations remain atypical. 11 …”

Exploring new frontiers

“…[ 16 ] But the programme was a slow starter and only 30 transplants were done across the country till the year 2012. [ 17 ]…”

Heart transplant and mechanical circulatory support—the last frontier?

“…Just as I share the 'joie de vivre' of the Guest Editor, and in his own words, "It is certainly a matter of great joy for us that the specialty has matured to a stage where a special issue of the journal is being brought out…" [1], I lament that it took us 25 years to come to party! Albeit late, we sure are coming of age.…”

“…Just as we talk of donor shortages, an issue which merits an equal attention is the wastage of donor organs, for want of recipients. There are no published statistics available as to the number of organs wasted in India, though a sense has been provided in the Guest Editorial in this very issue [1]. Certainly, at least in north India, it is a significant problem, which conveniently has not been spoken about.…”