Kochi Hospital Determined to Continue Heart Transplant Program Despite Tragic Loss
In a significant development for India's healthcare landscape, Ernakulam General Hospital (GH) in Kochi has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing heart transplant surgeries despite facing a heartbreaking setback. The medical fraternity at the hospital remains undeterred following the unexpected death of 22-year-old Nepal native Durga Kami, who passed away exactly one month after undergoing a pioneering heart transplant procedure at the facility.
A Pioneering Procedure Meets Tragic Outcome
Durga Kami, who was suffering from Danon disease—a rare genetic disorder—succumbed to cardiorespiratory arrest on Thursday night. Her untimely demise has been described as anti-climactic by the treating doctors, who noted she was showing promising signs of recovery before her condition deteriorated rapidly.
The medical team reported that Kami's sudden decline occurred within just 4-5 hours, primarily due to pulmonary arterial hypertension and a dangerous rise in carbon dioxide levels within her body. This tragic turn of events came as a particular shock since the young patient had been making steady progress following her groundbreaking surgery.
Medical Team Reflects on Treatment Journey
Dr. George J Valooran, the cardiothoracic surgeon at Ernakulam GH who led the transplant team, provided detailed insights into Kami's medical journey. "We successfully matched the standards achieved by established transplant centers in cities like Chennai with this first heart transplant at our facility," he stated with professional pride tempered by personal sorrow.
The surgical team maintained Kami on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for an impressive 28 days, during which they successfully prevented any infections—a critical achievement in post-transplant care. "After we shifted her out of ECMO support, Durga was genuinely happy—eating normally and even reading books," Dr. Valooran recalled, highlighting the promising recovery phase before the sudden reversal.
The surgeon further explained the complex medical background: "When we conducted the heart transplant, Durga was already a borderline patient with significantly compromised health due to prolonged illness." He specifically identified her underlying weak lung condition as the primary factor that ultimately led to the sudden deterioration despite the successful transplant procedure.
Historic Surgery and Hospital's Future Plans
Kami's heart transplant surgery, conducted on December 22, represented a historic milestone as the first such procedure performed at a government district hospital in India. The surgery proceeded following intervention by the Kerala High Court, with the donor heart coming from a Kollam native who had died in a motor vehicle accident.
Despite the tragic outcome, Dr. Valooran emphasized the hospital's readiness to continue its transplant program. "Ernakulam General Hospital is fully equipped with both the necessary manpower and advanced technology to continue performing heart transplants," he asserted confidently. This declaration signals the medical team's determination to build upon their pioneering work and establish Kochi as a significant center for cardiac transplantation in India's public healthcare system.
The hospital's commitment comes at a crucial time when access to advanced cardiac care remains limited in many parts of the country. The medical team's experience with Kami's case, while ending tragically, has provided valuable insights that will inform future transplant procedures at the facility.
