Marengo CIMS Hospital Ahmadabad excels as Western India’s heart transplant center

Srinagar: Marengo CIMS Hospital Ahmedabad is positioned today as an advanced center for heart transplants with a clinical excellence team well recognized globally. The team of doctors performs double-digit numbers annually to gain the reputation they have today. The team of doctors is led by Dr Dhiren Shah, Director Heart Transplant Program.
Heart transplantation has emerged as a well-established treatment for advanced heart failure over the past four to five decades. The last decade has witnessed a remarkable global surge in the number of heart transplant procedures, seeing an increase of more than 300% worldwide and surpassing a 400% increase in the United States alone. The Western world, particularly North America, experienced a significant uptick in heart transplant numbers, particularly since the 1980s, with annual procedures ranging from 3000 to 4000. However, the growth has plateaued, primarily due to limitations in the availability of organs for donation.
Despite the heart transplant procedure having started in 1994 in India, the high-end surgery did not become a preferred option for patients with end-stage heart failure until 2010. In fact, it was only by 2019 that India performed 1000 heart transplants, after almost 25 years after the Transplantation of Human Organs Act was passed by the Government of India. India is now in an enviable position to offer affordable and accessible quality healthcare to patients globally and we are fast emerging as a preferred destination for medical treatment solutions.
Dr Dhiren Shah, Director Heart Transplant Program says, There are several compelling reasons for heart transplantation to become a preferred option for patients with end-stage heart failure. A heart transplant is often the only life-saving intervention for patients who have exhausted other medical treatments and interventions. This surgical procedure significantly improves the quality of life for patients by restoring normal heart function and allowing them to engage in activities they were previously unable to perform. Heart transplantation also offers a potential long-term survival and improved prognosis, especially when the transplant surgery is successful. Symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, and shortness of breath are overcome with a new heart, opening a realm of quality life for the patient.”
The state of Gujarat has emerged to position itself as a leader in heart transplants. With organ donation improving steadily in the past few years, Gujarat stands as a leader in the realm of organ transplants. Statistics revealed that organ donation was highest in the southern parts of India and consequently, the hospitals in the South ruled the space of organ donation and transplant. With the increasing awareness, myths and doubts are dispelled and people are coming forward to embrace one of the highest forms of humanity and donate organs of their deceased family member.