In a historic milestone for medical innovation and healthcare in Madhya Pradesh, AIIMS Bhopal successfully conducted the state’s first-ever heart transplant. This remarkable achievement highlights the institution’s leadership in advanced medical procedures and the significance of organ donation.
The heart was donated by the family of a 61-year-old brain-dead patient admitted to NSCB Medical College in Jabalpur. The selfless decision of the donor’s family to give the gift of life paved the way for this groundbreaking procedure.
A dedicated team of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons (CTVS) from AIIMS Bhopal undertook the challenging task of organ retrieval. The team departed from Bhopal at midnight, reaching Jabalpur in the early hours to begin the organ harvest. By 10:30 AM, the heart was successfully retrieved and promptly airlifted to Bhopal at 10:50 AM.
With the meticulous planning and seamless coordination among officials, the heart was transported via a "green corridor" from Raja Bhoj Airport to AIIMS Bhopal within minutes. Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal, Prof. (Dr.) Ajai Singh, and Medical Superintendent, Prof. (Dr.) Shashank Purwar, were present to receive the organ and commended the efforts of the entire team involved in the procedure.
The heart transplant was performed on a 53-year-old patient from Itarsi by a skilled surgical team led by Dr. Yogesh Niwariya, Dr. M. Kishan, Dr. Surendra Yadav, Dr. Rahul Sharma, Dr. Vikram Watti, and Dr. Aditya Sirohi. Cardiology specialist Dr. Bhushan Shah also played a vital role in the procedure.
The cardiac anesthetists’ team, guided by Dr. Vaishali Waindeskar and led by Dr. Nagbhushan, provided crucial support, while transplant coordination was efficiently managed by Shri Dinesh Meena. The nursing staff, including Shailesh, Mamraj, Lalit, Pallavi, Dinesh Panchal, and Poonam, contributed significantly, along with perfusionists Vedant and Sushma, whose expertise ensured the procedure’s success.
Prof Singh lauded the accomplishment, stating, “This success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of AIIMS Bhopal’s doctors and staff. We are proud to have performed the first heart transplant in Madhya Pradesh, marking a historic moment in the state’s medical history. This achievement also underscores the generosity of the donor’s family, whose noble decision made it possible to save a life.”
The successful heart transplant not only reflects AIIMS Bhopal’s commitment to medical excellence but also highlights the importance of organ donation in saving lives.