NE HEALTH BUREAU
CHENNAI, JUNE 9
Breathing new life into 44-year-old Kavitha, a mother of two daughters, Rela Hospital performed a high-risk double lung transplant and averted a heart transplant, which was becoming inevitable as her interstitial lung disease—a progressive condition that turns lungs fibrous, making them stiff and unable to support breathing—had begun to severely affect her heart.
- Confined to bed and heavily-reliant on oxygen for a few years, the 44-year-old woman suffered from multiple complications and extreme loss of muscle strength
- Initially diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, her condition rapidly advanced into a serious pulmonary disorder. COVID-19 exacerbated the damage, and lung and heart failure were considered imminent
- Kavitha is now able to lead a normal life, a remarkable recovery that allows her to care for her children and fully participate in daily activities once again
- The double lung transplant lasted approximately eight hours involving 30-member team
- She will need to take immunosuppressant drugs for life
The double lung transplant, being a major surgical undertaking, lasted approximately eight hours. Overseeing this complex procedure was a formidable 30-member team, led by Dr. Srinath Vijayasekharan, Director and Senior Consultant – Heart and Lung Transplantation, and Dr. Aishwarya Rajkumar, Clinical Lead – Transplant Pulmonology. The surgical team comprised a wide array of specialists, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, intensivists, pulmonologists, and perfusionists.
Post-operative care was equally critical and challenging, as the donor lungs—though a perfect match—needed time to adjust within the patient’s chest, which had shrunk due to disease progression over the past six years. The woman required a long ICU stay to regain enough muscle strength to sit, stand, and walk. It has now been several weeks since the surgery, and she is leading a normal life, able to care for herself and her two daughters. Her recent biopsy confirmed that the transplanted lungs are functioning well, although she will need to take immunosuppressant drugs for life.
In his comments, Prof. Mohamed Rela, Chairman, Rela Hospital, said, “It’s incredibly rewarding to have successfully performed a double lung transplant on a patient who was initially unaware this life-saving option existed. She was in a critical condition, facing multiple complications that made the surgery exceptionally high-risk and demanding, both during and after the procedure. Where others saw too much risk, our dedicated lung transplant team at Rela Hospital saw an opportunity to save a life, drawing on their expertise. Many patients suffering from severe lung diseases don’t realise that a transplant can be life-saving. We need to raise awareness about this option, and equally important, encourage organ donation to give more patients a second chance at life.”
“Kavitha’s story is a remarkable testament to both her resilience and the life-saving power of transplantation. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in the US in 2013, her condition tragically progressed to severe interstitial lung disease by 2016. The severity of her illness forced her return to India, where she needed family support to care for her two young daughters. A subsequent COVID-19 infection further worsened her lung function, eventually making her bedridden and dependent on continuous oxygen. By the time she arrived at Rela Hospital in November 2024, she was critically ill, requiring 15 liters of oxygen and profoundly weak after being bedridden for nearly 2 years. Her need for a double lung transplant was immediate; she simply wouldn’t have survived without new lungs within a matter of weeks. The period leading up to the transplant was challenging, marked by multiple hospital admissions to stabilise her oxygen levels and combat infections. It was a race against time, and it was truly a blessing that compatible lungs became available when they did” – Dr. Aishwarya Rajkumar, Clinical Lead – Transplant Pulmonology
On the surgical and post-transplant challenges, Dr. Srinath Vijayasekharan, Director and Senior Consultant – Heart and Lung Transplantation said, “One of the most significant surgical challenges was finding appropriately sized lungs for her small chest cavity. The donor lungs were slightly larger, necessitating us to keep her chest open for a few days post-transplant before a delayed closure. Beyond the surgery itself, her post-transplant recovery presented its own set of formidable hurdles. Her pre-existing poor muscle mass meant building the strength required for her to breathe independently and come off the ventilator was a slow and arduous process. It took a dedicated 6-8 weeks for her to transition out of the ICU. Witnessing her progress from being completely bedridden to walking, eating independently, and ultimately, taking care of her children and living oxygen-free, makes every challenge we faced profoundly rewarding. Her journey, from critical illness to a full recovery, is a true beacon of hope.”
Following the successful double lung transplant, biopsy done post-transplant after a few months showed that the transplanted organs were functioning optimally. Kavitha is now able to lead a normal life, a remarkable recovery that allows her to care for her children and fully participate in daily activities once again.
