The gathering also highlighted Narayana Health’s advances in complex cardiopulmonary care, including heart and lung transplantation, mechanical circulatory support and specialised treatment for critically ill patients.
At Narayana Health’s Heart Transplant Press Conference, experts engaged with the media on advancements in heart transplantation and cardiac care, highlighting the institution’s clinical capabilities and the experiences of patients who have undergone these procedures.
With 136 heart and lung transplants performed to date, Narayana Health City, Bengaluru, has established a comprehensive transplant programme covering complex adult and paediatric heart and lung transplantation. The programme brings together advanced surgical expertise, life-support technologies and multidisciplinary care to manage some of the most demanding procedures in modern medicine, with outcomes aligned with international standards.
For transplant recipients and their families, success extends beyond the operating theatre. The transplant team emphasised that a heart transplant is not merely a complex surgical procedure but can mark a new beginning for an entire family. Patients who once experienced debilitating breathlessness and the uncertainty associated with end-stage heart failure can regain independence, return to their passions and rediscover everyday activities.
According to the programme, 95% of recipients have returned to meaningful lives. Their journeys include children returning to school and recipients achieving success in competitive sports. These outcomes reflect the resilience of transplant recipients, the dedication of clinical teams and the generosity of donor families whose decisions make transplantation possible.
The event brought together recipients whose experiences demonstrate the potential for long-term survival and renewed opportunities after transplantation. Mr. V. K., who is now 16 years post-transplant, is the longest-surviving heart transplant recipient in the cohort, illustrating the possibility of sustained life and well-being following the procedure.
Mr. S. S., who once faced end-stage heart failure, went on to win a gold medal at the World Transplant Games, demonstrating the possibilities that can follow a successful transplant.
The programme’s impact also extends to younger patients. Baby K., who received a donor heart at just 14 months of age, became India’s youngest heart transplant recipient. Meanwhile, Mr. K. S., who underwent a combined heart–lung transplant at the age of 68, continues to thrive at 75.
The experiences of Mrs. A. F. M., who underwent transplantation in 2022, and Miss N. N., who underwent transplantation in 2025, further demonstrate Narayana Health’s work in complex combined heart and lung transplantation. Such procedures require advanced clinical capabilities and closely coordinated care.
For critically ill patients who cannot safely wait for a donor organ without additional support, Narayana Health City’s mechanical circulatory support programme provides another treatment option. Through technologies such as Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs), the transplant team can provide life-sustaining support to patients with severe cardiac and/or respiratory failure while they await a suitable donor organ.
These technologies are supported by round-the-clock critical care, advanced cardiac imaging, specialised transplant expertise and collaborative multidisciplinary decision-making. Together, these capabilities enable selected critically ill patients to be stabilised and maintained as potential transplant candidates during the waiting period.
The integration of advanced technology, clinical precision and timely intervention reflects the complexity of modern transplantation and the resources required to provide life-saving care to patients with severe cardiac and pulmonary conditions.
Narayana Health’s transplant programme has also become a destination for patients with end-stage cardiac and pulmonary disease from across India and beyond. Nearly 50% of its 136 transplant recipients have travelled from outside Karnataka, representing 19 Indian states. The programme has also performed successful transplants for international patients, including recipients from Sudan.
While the gathering celebrated recovery and the resilience of transplant recipients, it also drew attention to the continuing shortage of donor organs in India. Patients across the country continue to lose their lives while waiting for suitable organs, underscoring the need to strengthen public awareness and participation in organ donation.
Narayana Health reiterated its commitment to promoting organ donation awareness and encouraging more people to pledge their organs. Each pledge has the potential to offer someone awaiting transplantation a second chance at life.
As Narayana Health marks the achievements of its transplant programme, the gathering highlighted both the possibilities created by advances in medical care and the critical role of organ donation. For patients living with end-stage heart and lung failure, transplantation can mean more than survival, offering the opportunity to regain independence, pursue personal goals and participate more fully in everyday life.
About Narayana Health
Founded by Dr. Devi Shetty and headquartered in Bengaluru, Narayana Health is a leading presence in the global healthcare landscape. One of the largest healthcare providers in India, the group operates a comprehensive network of primary, secondary and super-speciality tertiary care facilities across India, the UK and the Caribbean.
Narayana Health’s Centres of Excellence across various medical domains, its team of 18,822 dedicated professionals, including 3,868 skilled doctors and specialists, and its focus on patient well-being and clinical excellence underpin its role in healthcare delivery. Narayana One Health (NH Integrated Care) and Narayana Health Insurance are subsidiaries of Narayana Health.
For more information, visit www.narayanahealth.org.
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