India has emerged as one of the most trusted destinations for heart transplant treatment, performing a steadily growing number of successful cardiac transplants each year. As per NOTTO, the demand for heart transplants in India has risen sharply due to increasing cases of end-stage heart failure, while advanced hospitals in cities like Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai now report survival rates comparable to global standards. With world-class cardiac surgeons, specialised transplant ICUs, and costs far lower than the US or UK, heart transplant treatment in India offers a strong combination of expertise and affordability.

This guide explains everything you need to know about heart transplant in India, including the procedure, donor process, heart transplant surgery cost, recovery stages, and financial assistance options, so you can make informed decisions with confidence.

What Is a Heart Transplant?

A heart transplant is a life-saving surgery in which a failing or severely damaged heart is replaced with a healthy donor heart. It is recommended for patients with end-stage heart failure who can no longer be treated effectively with medicines, stents, or bypass surgery.

The human heart pumps blood throughout the body. When it becomes too weak due to disease or damage, the body does not get enough oxygen. A heart transplant restores normal heart function, improves quality of life, and significantly extends survival for eligible patients.

Conditions that may need a heart transplant:

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy
  • Ischemic heart disease or severe coronary artery blockages
  • Congenital heart defects
  • Severe heart muscle damage after viral myocarditis
  • Advanced heart failure not responding to treatment

Who qualifies for a heart transplant?

Patients who:

  • Have end-stage heart failure (NYHA Class III–IV)
  • Have frequent hospital admissions
  • Cannot perform daily activities due to breathlessness or fatigue
  • Are medically fit for major surgery
  • Do not have severe uncontrolled infections or multi-organ failure

A successful heart transplant can offer 10–15+ years of extended survival, improved strength, and the ability to resume a near-normal lifestyle.

Types of Heart Transplants in India

India offers all major types of heart transplants, selected based on the patient’s condition, donor availability, and medical urgency. Understanding these types helps families choose the most suitable treatment option.

2.1 Orthotopic Heart Transplant (Most Common)

  • In this transplant, the patient’s diseased heart is removed and replaced with a healthy donor heart.
  • It is a standard technique used in almost all transplant centres in India.
  • This is best for patients with end-stage heart failure, cardiomyopathy, or severe coronary disease.

2.2 Heterotopic Heart Transplant (“Piggyback” Transplant)

  • In this transplant, the donor heart is added alongside the patient’s existing heart.
  • It is used when the donor heart is slightly smaller or the patient has high lung pressure.
  • This type of transplant is rarely performed but available in select advanced cardiac transplant hospitals in India.

2.3 Pediatric Heart Transplant

  • As the name suggests, this transplant is for children with congenital heart defects or severe cardiomyopathy.
  • It requires highly specialized pediatric cardiac teams and ICU care.
  • Major centres in Chennai, Delhi, and Bangalore offer pediatric transplants.

2.4 Donation After Brain Death (DBD) Heart Transplant

  • Most transplants in India come from deceased donors declared brain-dead.
  • It is regulated under NOTTO, SOTTO, and ROTTO networks for ethical organ allocation.

2.5 Donation After Circulatory Death (DCD) Heart Transplant

  • Increasingly seen in advanced centres using modern organ-preservation technologies.
  • Helps increase donor availability, but not yet widespread in India.

3. Heart Donation Process in India

Heart donation in India follows strict medical and legal protocols to ensure ethical, safe, and transparent organ allocation. The process is managed through national and state-level organ networks.

3.1 Who Can Be a Heart Donor?

A heart donor must:

  • Be declared brain-dead by an authorised medical board
  • Have no major infections, cancer, or active organ failure
  • Be aged between 18–65 years
  • Provide prior consent (or family consent after brain death)

Donor suitability is determined through:

  • Cardiac function tests
  • Blood compatibility
  • Detailed medical screening

3.2 How Heart Donation Works

Step 1: Brain-Death Certification
 Two independent medical teams confirm irreversible brain death as per Indian law (THOTA Act).

Step 2: Donor Registration Into NOTTO/SOTTO
 The hospital enters donor information into:

  • NOTTO – National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization
  • ROTTO/SOTTO – Regional/State Transplant Authorities

Step 3: Recipient Matching
 Matching is based on:

  • Urgency and medical priority
  • Blood group and tissue compatibility
  • Waiting time on the transplant list
  • Proximity to the donor hospital (to minimise ischemia time)

Step 4: Organ Retrieval
 A specialised cardiac transplant team retrieves the heart in a sterile procedure and places it in cold preservation solution or an organ transport machine.

Step 5: Transport and Allocation
 Fast transport is arranged through:

  • Green corridors
  • Air ambulances
  • State and city police coordination

The heart must reach the recipient hospital within 4–6 hours.

Step 6: Heart Transplant Surgery for the Recipient
 The recipient is prepared simultaneously, ensuring the surgery begins as soon as the heart arrives.

Heart Transplant Procedure in India: Step-by-Step Process

Cost of Heart Transplant Surgery in India

A heart transplant in India is a complex, life-saving surgery performed when a patient’s heart can no longer function effectively, even after medication or device-based treatment. The process involves several critical stages, from evaluation to long-term recovery, managed by a multidisciplinary cardiac team.

Step 1: Pre-Transplant Evaluation

Before a patient is approved for transplant, doctors conduct detailed assessments to ensure suitability.
Includes:

  • Cardiac function tests (ECG, echocardiogram, cardiac MRI)
  • Blood tests and organ function analysis
  • Psychological and nutritional evaluation
  • Infection and cancer screening
    Only patients with end-stage heart failure and no major organ dysfunction are cleared for transplant.

Step 2: Registration and Donor Matching

Once approved, the patient is listed on the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) registry.

  • Matching depends on blood type, body size, and medical urgency.
  • Donor hearts usually come from brain-dead individuals whose families consent to organ donation.
  • The hospital coordinates with transplant authorities to identify a compatible donor.

Step 3: Donor Heart Retrieval

When a suitable donor is found:

  • A specialized surgical team retrieves the donor heart under sterile conditions.
  • The heart is transported in a preservation solution within 4–6 hours (the “golden window”) to the transplant centre.
  • Continuous monitoring ensures organ viability during transport.

Step 4: Heart Transplant Surgery

The patient is placed under general anesthesia, and the surgery lasts 4–6 hours.
Steps include:

  1. The diseased heart is removed, leaving portions of the atria and major blood vessels.
  2. The healthy donor heart is sewn into place.
  3. Blood flow is gradually restored, and the new heart begins to beat.
  4. The patient is placed on a ventilator and monitored in the cardiac ICU.

Step 5: Immediate Post-Transplant Recovery

After surgery, the patient stays in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) for 1–2 weeks.

  • Continuous ECG and oxygen monitoring
  • Immunosuppressive medications to prevent organ rejection
  • Physiotherapy and nutritional support
    Once stable, the patient moves to a recovery ward for further rehabilitation.

Step 6: Post-Heart Transplant Care

Long-term recovery is crucial for transplant success.

  • Regular follow-up visits (initially weekly, then monthly)
  • Endomyocardial biopsies to monitor for rejection
  • Strict medication adherence and healthy lifestyle maintenance
    Most patients resume normal activities within 3–6 months, with lifelong care and periodic evaluations.

 Heart Transplant Cost in India (2025)

The heart transplant cost in India typically ranges between ₹18,00,000 and ₹25,00,000. This range can stretch in metro cities like Mumbai and Kolkata. This estimate includes the surgery, organ retrieval, ICU stay, and post-transplant medications. Compared to the US or UK, where the same procedure can cost over ₹1 crore, India remains one of the most affordable destinations for advanced cardiac transplant surgery without compromising on quality or outcomes.

City-wise Cost of Heart Transplant Surgery in India

CityHeart Transplant Cost (₹)
Delhi₹17 lakh – ₹25 lakh
Mumbai₹18 lakh – ₹26 lakh
Chennai₹19 lakh – ₹27 lakh
Bangalore₹20 lakh – ₹28 lakh
Hyderabad₹20 lakh – ₹28 lakh
Pune₹18 lakh – ₹26 lakh
Kolkata₹20 lakh – ₹28 lakh
Noida₹17 lakh – ₹25 lakh 
Gurgaon₹17 lakh – ₹25 lakh
Ahmedabad₹18 lakh – ₹26 lakh

Factors Influencing Heart Transplant Surgery Cost in India

The cost of heart transplant surgery in India can vary based on several medical and non-medical factors, including:

  1. Hospital Infrastructure: NABH or JCI-accredited cardiac transplant hospitals with HEPA-filtered ICUs and robotic surgery units may charge higher fees.
  2. Type of Donor and Organ Transport: Costs increase when donor hearts are transported across states via Green Corridor, requiring special preservation and air transfer logistics.
  3. Surgeon and Medical Team Expertise: Experienced cardiac transplant surgeons and multidisciplinary ICU teams often increase overall expenses but also improve survival rates.
  4. Post-Transplant Care Duration: Longer ICU stays, infection control, and continuous monitoring can add around 50 thousand rupees to total treatment costs.
  5. Immunosuppressive Therapy: These lifelong medications are vital to prevent organ rejection.
  6. Insurance Coverage and Financial Aid: The availability of government schemes or crowdfunding can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

Why India Is a Global Hub for Affordable Cardiac Transplants

  • Cost-effective treatment: World-class cardiac care at 1/5th of international prices
  • High success rates: 85–90% survival rate for the first year post-transplant
  • Wide donor availability: Supported by the National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)
  • Expert surgeons: Internationally trained cardiac teams in Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai

Financial Assistance for Heart Transplant in India

While India offers comparatively affordable heart transplant surgery, the total cost can still be overwhelming for many families. Thankfully, several financial aid options make treatment more accessible:

1. Government Schemes

  • Ayushman Bharat – PMJAY: This scheme covers up to ₹5 lakh for eligible low-income families.
  • State Health Schemes: Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka offer cardiac transplant aid through state health insurance.
  • Chief Minister’s Relief Funds: Patients can apply for financial help directly through CM offices in their respective states.

2. Hospital & NGO Support

Many leading cardiac transplant hospitals partner with NGOs or charitable trusts to subsidize costs for economically weaker patients. Some hospitals also offer installment-based payment options.

3. Medical Crowdfunding via ImpactGuru

Heart Transplant Surgery Cost

When insurance and aid fall short, ImpactGuru enables patients to raise funds quickly and transparently for heart transplant treatment in India. With donations from supporters worldwide, families can cover hospital bills, surgery costs, and post-transplant medications without delay.

Top Heart Transplant Hospitals in India

India is home to some of the best cardiac transplant hospitals, offering advanced infrastructure, skilled cardiothoracic surgeons, and high survival outcomes at a fraction of global costs. Here are the leading names:

1. Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

  • Apollo Hospitals is recognized as a leader in developing advanced cardiac care programs across India, performing its first heart transplant in 1995.
  • Known for exceptional post-heart transplant care and patient survival rates.
  • Equipped with advanced ICUs, ECMO support, and organ retrieval units.
  • Recognised by international medical boards for quality cardiac care.

2. Fortis Malar Hospital, Chennai

  • Among the top cardiac transplant hospitals with a dedicated heart failure and transplant unit.
  • Performs adult and pediatric transplants using advanced donor-matching techniques.
  • Strong emphasis on post-surgery rehabilitation and infection control.

3. Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram

  • One of North India’s most reputed heart transplant centres.
  • Multidisciplinary cardiac team led by top heart surgeons.
  • Offers advanced mechanical circulatory support (VAD, ECMO) and 24×7 ICU facilities.
  • High success rates in complex transplant cases.

4. Global Hospitals, Hyderabad

  • Accredited multi-organ transplant centre with a specialised cardiac program.
  • Offers integrated follow-up care and long-term medication management.

5. KIMS Hospital, Hyderabad

  • Trusted for cost-effective heart transplant surgeries in India.
  • Expert transplant surgeons and state-of-the-art cardiac ICUs.
  • Known for high-quality patient care, affordability, and ethical organ donation practices.

6. Narayana Health, Bangalore

  • One of India’s largest cardiac care networks.
  • Offers affordable transplant packages and strong post-operative care.
  • Collaborates with government programs and NGOs for financial assistance.

Conclusion

Choosing to undergo a heart transplant in India offers patients world-class medical care, expert cardiac surgeons, and affordable treatment options. With renowned cardiac transplant hospitals across cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, Gurugram, and Bangalore, India continues to lead in advanced heart care and post-transplant recovery. However, the heart transplant surgery cost can still be financially challenging for many families.

That’s where ImpactGuru plays a vital role, helping patients raise funds through trusted medical crowdfunding, easing the financial burden, and ensuring that no one is denied a life-saving transplant due to cost.