Bengaluru Creates Medical History: Three Donor Hearts, Three Transplants, One City — All in 12 Hours
Coordinated organ transport across Bengaluru and the courage of donor families enable doctors to save three young lives in back-to-back surgeries
In a groundbreaking achievement, Narayana Health City, Bengaluru, has performed three heart transplants within just 12 hours, marking a historic first in India’s medical landscape.
The recipients, all men in their mid-30s, had been on the waiting list for more than a year and had reached a stage where their deteriorating condition could have soon disqualified them from transplantation.
Coordinated Effort Across Hospitals
The donor hearts were retrieved from Sparsh Hospital (Yelahanka), Aster CMI Hospital (Hebbal), and Manipal Hospital (Old Airport Road). Using meticulously coordinated green corridor routes, the organs were swiftly transported to Narayana Health City, ensuring precious time was not lost.
The complex series of surgeries brought together a multidisciplinary team of heart failure cardiologists, transplant surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, transplant coordinators, and critical-care specialists. The effort was further supported by Jeevan Sarthakathe (SOTTO – State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation), which played a key role in organ allocation and transport logistics.
Medical Excellence Meets Human Generosity
“This milestone underscores not only the medical excellence of our transplant team but also the critical role of public support, timely coordination, and the noble decision of donor families,” said Dr. Varun Shetty, Senior Consultant Cardiac Surgeon, Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences.
He added that Narayana Health’s Heart Failure and Transplant Programme is among the largest in the country, providing comprehensive care for advanced heart failure, ECMO, and ventricular assist technologies.
Successful Outcomes
All three transplants were completed successfully, with the patients showing positive responses. They remain stable and are under close medical supervision during recovery.
The feat was made possible by the generosity of three donor families, who chose to save lives in their moment of grief. Their decision has given a second chance at life to three young men and serves as a powerful reminder of the life-saving potential of organ donation.
