DY Patil Medical College and Hospital doctors perform rare dual transplant on UK-based doctor

Pune: In a rare case of dual transplant, doctors of Dr DY Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre (DPU), Pimpri, have successfully performed a heart and lung transplant on a 46-year-old UK-based doctor, who was suffering from scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease that can cause skin and other parts of the body to thicken and harden.

Scleroderma also known as systemic sclerosis, is a group of rare diseases that involve the hardening and tightening of the skin. It may also cause problems in the blood vessels, internal organs, and digestive tract. It commonly occurs between the ages of 30 and 50. It is a group of rare diseases that more often affects women.

During the disease, she had multiple episodes of Raynaud's phenomenon during winter which worsened gradually. "She developed Scleroderma-related Interstitial lung disease which was diagnosed in 2016 and severe Pulmonary Hypertension in 2017. Along with these, she also had Oesophageal dysmotility and reflux disease," said Dr MS Barthwal, head of respiratory medicine at the Dr DY Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Centre. 

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Raynaud's phenomenon is a problem that causes decreased blood flow to the fingers. In some cases, it also causes less blood flow to the ears, toes, nipples, knees, or nose.

"She had multiple worsening episodes of lung disease for which she needed multiple admissions. So we enrolled her for a combined heart-lung transplant and placed her on a waitlist. However, she was admitted to the CVTS, ICU of Dr DY Patil Medical College Hospital and needed constant monitoring and high oxygen support for more than 6 weeks while waiting for the organs," Dr Barthwal added.

Dr Sandeep Attawar, programme director and chair, of the Institute of Heart and Lung Transplantation, KIMS Hyderabad, told the Indian Express, "Dr DY Patil Medical College Hospital has a strong cadaver organ donation programme. On October 19, the family of a 27-year-old brain-dead patient consented to donate her organs. The doctor underwent a combined heart-lung transplant in the early hours of October 20, 2022. Organ donation is a very noble act that saves lives. Though it is very unfortunate to lose a loved one, donating their organs can help save lives, thus giving a second life to many. I am grateful to the donor family who agreed to this noble act".

Dr. Anurag Garg, Dr. Ashish Dolas, Dr. Ranjit Pawar, Dr. Prabhat Dutta, Dr. Vipul Sharma, and Dr. Sandeep Junghare under the leadership of Dr. Sandeep Attawar which lasted for 6 hours, involved carefully coordinated teamwork involving several medical specialties and support services.

Dr Anurag Garg, head of the department, cardiac surgery, said, "In the postoperative period, the patient was weaned off the ventilator, underwent regular bronchoscopies and pulmonary monitoring, strict monitoring of immunosuppression and intensive physiotherapy along with 24/7 critical care. Her recovery has been encouraging and she has made steady progress. She has been successfully discharged and will continue her recovery and rehabilitation in controlled circumstances at home."

Dr. P.D. Patil, Chancellor of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune told APN news "DY Patil Medical College, Hospital and research centre has one of the best heart, and lung transplantation teams in the country, as well as a matching infrastructure that provides best-in-class services, cutting-edge technology, and leaders in complex procedures. The hospital comprises a fully integrated and transplant-dedicated multidisciplinary team to ensure optimal care and excellent outcomes."

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