25 Km in 26 Minutes: Heart of 18-year-old accident victim reaches Delhi Hospital via green corridor

New Delhi: In a remarkable display of medical efficiency, doctors successfully facilitated the rapid transport of a live heart over a 25-kilometre distance, ultimately saving the life of a 51-year-old man.

The green corridor, spanning from Aakash Hospital in Dwarka to Fortis Escorts Heart Institute in Okhla, played a pivotal role in ensuring that the vital organ reached its destination in a mere 26 minutes, paving the way for a successful transplant operation conducted on Wednesday.

The recipient, who had been grappling with a severe heart condition for an extended period, found hope through the selfless act of an 18-year-old's family. Tragically, the teenager had succumbed to injuries sustained in a road accident. However, in a testament to their generosity, the family consented to organ donation, allowing their loved one's heart to be transplanted into the 51-year-old recipient.

"In critical condition due to patient suffered from a heart attack in 2021, subsequently underwent stenting to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) that since his ejection fraction was 30 per cent. He was kept on optimal medical management but being on osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), his condition started deteriorating and his hospitalisation was frequent due to heart failure, reports ANI.

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Detailing the recipient's medical journey, officials revealed that he had been battling a deteriorating heart condition, necessitating a transplant. Despite undergoing stenting procedures and enduring ongoing medical management, his health continued to decline, leading to frequent hospitalizations due to heart failure.

Dr. Vishal Rastogi, the director of Cardiology and Head of the heart failure program, had been overseeing the patient's care for an extensive period, emphasizing the critical nature of the transplant.

The transplant surgery was led by a dedicated team of doctors, spearheaded by Dr ZS Meharwal, Executive Director and Head of Adult CTVS, Heart Transplant, and Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) program. Dr. Meharwal expressed profound gratitude to the donor's family, acknowledging their immense sacrifice in the face of grief.

Dr ZS Meharwal, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute said, "The 51-yr-old recipient had been suffering from a severe heart condition for a long time. Over the past few months, his heart condition continued to deteriorate, and a heart transplant became essential. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the donor's family for choosing to donate, despite their immense grief. Such lifesaving and enriching surgeries would not have been possible without the tireless cooperation from NOTTO, local traffic and police authorities and most importantly, the donor families."