Frequently Asked Questions

The first thing we do is to assess the patient as a team to determine whether transplant is the best way forward. Secondly his or her medical fitness for the transplant is assessed. Our team comprises hepato pancreato biliary/ multi organ transplant surgeons, hepatologists, transplant anaesthesiologists, liver anaesthesiologists, Intensivits, critical care experts, diagnostic radiologists, interventional radiologists, infectious diseases/ infection control physicians, psychiatrists and clinical psychologists supported by transplant coordinators, substance dependency experts to help those with a history of alcohol/drug use and social workers. All medical records are reviewed carefully, and a comprehensive pre-transplant diagnostic and pathological investigations are done to understand the extent of liver damage, ascertain blood, heart and lung health and check for any other major infections or diseases. If everything is acceptable, then we register the patient for liver transplant, according to blood type, body size, medical condition and a priority score based on three simple blood tests known as MELD (model of end-stage liver disease) in adults and PELD (paediatric end-stage liver disease) in children. Patients with the highest scores are transplanted first.

Like every advanced surgery, liver transplant too can have possible complications in some cases. ​ Your body’s immune system is programmed to destroy foreign substances that invade your body. This means your immune system may attempt to attack your new liver. This is called rejection and is see in more 30% liver-transplant patients within the first year of transplant. The doctors will give you anti-rejection medications to counter the immune attack.

Post-surgery, you will need to stay in the hospital for 2 to 3 weeks, so that we ensure you recover well. However, it is different for different people, as some might need more time to recover from post-surgery complications. Our doctors will always take time out to listen to you and to take good care of you, supported by our award winning team of CLS/BLS/ATLS/PALS certified nurses. In order to ensure your smooth recovery even after you get back home, our nurses and transplant coordinator will prepare well in advance prior to discharge. What you should do and what not will be explained to you in detail, along with your new medications that will help you overcome possible post-surgery complications. You will need to take these medications all your life. Our medical team will also tell you how to keep a watch on signs of rejection and infection and when you should seek immediate medical help.

You’ll be under continuous medical observation for 7 to 10 days post surgery, so that we can check whether your new kidney is functioning properly. At times, the new kidney might take some time to start functioning and produce urine. You might have to undergo dialysis till then and also take medications like diuretics to help the kidney expel excess water and salt from your body. Our nurses and rehabilitation experts will take good care of you and guide you through your recovery. We have state-of-the-art hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis facility, complete with a water treatment plant to ensure high-quality dialysis for patients.

There are three types of Bone Marrow Transplants based on from who the donor cells are harvested Autologous transplant is when you are receive your own stem cells. Allogeneic transplants in when you receive cells donated by your sibling or parent. However, an unrelated donor or a person who is not related to you can also give you stem cells for transplant. Syngeneic transplant is when you are infused with stem cells donated by your identical twin.

Your body is unique and has a set of proteins called human leukocyte-associated (HLA) antigens, on the surface of your body cells. We identify this set of proteins from samples drawn from your blood or buccal swab smears. We have the expertise and facilities to evaluate bone marrow morphology and immunohistochemistry at our state-of-the-art lab. The other relevant specialised tests include flowcytometry, cytogenetics and molecular genetics. In most cases, the success of allogeneic transplantation depends on how well the HLA antigens of the donor and recipient’s stem cells. Higher the number of matching HLA antigens, greater are chances of your body accepting the donor’s stem cells. You are less likely to develop graft-versus-host disease graft-versus-tumour effect post allogeneic transplant: when white blood cells from the donor attack the cells in the patient’s body after the chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, if the stem cells are closely matched. It is estimated that only 25 to 35 percent of patients have a HLA-matching sibling. The chances of obtaining matching stem cells from an unrelated donor too vary, so finding the right donor is the key to a successful BMT or PBSCT.

The post-conditioning period and 3-4 weeks post infusion are the most crucial for BMT and PBSCT patients as the chances of infection are at an all time high. Our entire medical team is trained to observe international standards when it comes to hygiene and infection control, so that you are ensured a safe, sterile environment to recuperate. The stem cells, after entering your bloodstream, travel to the bone marrow and begin to produce new white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in a process known as “engraftment.” This usually occurs within about 2 to 4 weeks after the transplantation. Complete recovery of your immune function will take longer - up to several months for autologous transplant and 1 - 2 years for allogeneic or syngeneic transplants. We will evaluate your blood health through various tests including bone marrow aspiration to confirm whether new blood cells are being produced and there’s no relapse.

Called a non-myeloablative or reduced-intensity transplant, a mini uses lower, less toxic doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation to prepare you for an allogeneic transplant. ​ Called a non-myeloablative or reduced-intensity transplant, a mini uses lower, less toxic doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation to prepare you for an allogeneic transplant.

Heart transplant means replacing one’s diseased heart with a healthy donated heart. An extremely complicated procedure, is suggested only when the heart failure is so severe that it cannot be managed with medication or any other mode of treatment. Cardiac care has evolved phenomenally in the recent times, enabling us to treat complex heart problems effectively - medically and surgically. However, if the condition of the heart is such that no medications or surgical solution can bring any sort of relief, we have no choice but choose heart transplant as the way ahead. Heart transplant is done in both adults and children; and Aster Centre of Excellence in Multi-Organ Transplant has a great team of doctors comprising adult and paediatric transplant experts.

If your doctor recommends a heart transplant, there are many formalities and tests you will need to complete before you undergo the surgery. You will need to go through an extensive screening process involving Radiological and Pathological Investigations. Our transplant team comprising Cardiac Surgeons, Cardiologists, Cardiac Anaesthesiologists, Pulmonologists and Pathologists will thoroughly review your reports to ensure that you’re medical fit for the surgery. We will then enlist you on the Heart Transplant List till we get notified of a suitable donor. Remember, waiting for a heart transplant might be a long drawn one for getting a donor – a suitable donor – is not easy. We will continuously monitor your health during this waiting period through regular check-ups and investigations. As soon as we get information that there is a donor heart available, we will contact you and if all factors are favourable, the transplant will be performed.