Mumbai, February 04, 2026: As 2025 drew to a close, ten-year-old Ananya (name changed) was fighting for her life. In the span of just one week, she went from being an energetic child who played sports to being unable to walk or breathe comfortably. Her heart function had plummeted to a mere 10 percent, far below the normal 60 percent needed to sustain the body.
She was airlifted in critical condition from Goa to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. Detailed evaluation revealed a genetic form of cardiomyopathy, which likely explained the sudden and rapid progression to severe heart failure.
At the Children’s Heart Centre, doctors initially attempted to stabilize her with cardiac supportive infusions (inotropes). However, her condition continued to deteriorate, necessitating emergency mechanical support in the form of ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). ECMO is a temporary life-support system that can function as an artificial heart and lungs for a limited period of time. Simultaneously, Ananya was listed for a super-urgent heart transplant, and the anxious wait for a suitable donor began.
Despite significant advances in organ donation and transplantation in India over the past decade, pediatric heart donation remains exceedingly rare. Children require donors who are closely matched in age and size, further narrowing the donor pool. Ideally, the donor’s weight should not exceed 1.5 times that of the recipient in pediatric heart transplants.
While awaiting an organ, Ananya developed complications related to prolonged ECMO support. With no donor heart forthcoming and time rapidly running out, the medical team made the critical decision to implant a more durable mechanical support device known as a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD). An LVAD functions as the left pumping chamber of the heart, channeling oxygenated blood from the lungs directly to the rest of the body. Although LVAD technology has existed for many years, its use in children remains limited in India. Dr. Tanuja Karande, Consultant, Pediatric Cardiologist Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai who was treating her explains, “Managing LVADs in children requires not only a highly trained surgical team to implant the device, but also an exceptionally skilled intensive care unit, and a dedicated pediatric cardiologist with Heart Failure and Transplant experience to ensure it continues to function safely.” This decision was taken by the medical team led by Dr. Suresh Rao, Director of the Children’s Heart Centre.
The LVAD successfully restored circulation to Ananya’s failing organs. Just one week later, a donor heart became available. Swiftly transported by air from Aurangabad, thanks to the exemplary coordination of government authorities, the organ belonged to a 56-year-old victim of a road traffic accident and was nearly twice Ananya’s weight. With no time to spare, and understanding the risks involved, the medical team and family made the courageous decision to proceed.
The transplant was successful. Ananya was taken off the ventilator within three days and, remarkably, was discharged home just two weeks later her life renewed by a second chance at a healthy heart. Dr. Santosh Shetty, CEO and Executive Director, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai said, “This transplant case has definitely been unconventional and most challenging considering the age and weight of the donor in comparison to our child’s. We are elated to achieve such commendable results’.
This case highlights the grim donor pool in a country with dense population such as ours. Young children and adults with heart failure lose their lives awaiting a suitable organ. Improving awareness and donation rates in our country is the need of the hour.
Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)
