Aurangabad Man Dies 41 Days After Groundbreaking Heart Transplant in Mumbai's KEM Hospital

Mumbai: A man from Aurangabad tragically passed away 41 days after he underwent a groundbreaking heart transplant at KEM Hospital in Mumbai. Mahesh Pandav, 38, underwent the transplant on July 12, marking a significant achievement for the hospital. However, he succumbed to a severe infection after being discharged.

Possibly the first of its kind in India, the surgery was initially deemed a success. It was only the second heart transplant in the 56-year history of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation-run hospital, the first attempt in 1968 having ended unsuccessfully.

Mahesh’s surgery brought renewed hope. He recovered well and was discharged on August 1 with a 60% heart pumping capacity. His family, filled with hope and happiness, believed their long struggle had finally ended. Swati Pandav, Mahesh’s wife, expressed their optimism, saying, "He was fairly healthy at home and had even put on weight, which was a sign of recovery."

However, on the night of August 20, Mahesh developed a high fever and had difficulty in breathing. Swati contacted KEM Hospital, and doctors advised her to admit him to a local hospital if his condition did not improve. By the next morning, his condition worsened, and he was admitted to Seth Nandlal Dhoot Hospital, where he was placed on oxygen support. But, on August 22, Mahesh was declared dead. He is survived by his wife and their two daughters.

Dr. Balaji Aironi, associate professor at KEM’s Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Department, explained that Mahesh developed intermittent fever and sudden cardiac arrest, common risks in transplant patients due to rejection. He added, "Mahesh likely caught a secondary infection because he was on immunosuppressive medicines, which put him at a higher risk of developing viral infections. At the time, there were many cases of H1N1 (swine flu) in Aurangabad."

Dr. Aironi acknowledged the unexpected tragedy, saying, "None of us expected it; it was shocking and sad. It would have been ideal if he had stayed here for a longer duration, but he was an outstation patient, and it is very expensive for families to stay for a longer time."

Looking ahead, Dr. Aironi mentioned that there are two more patients on the list for heart transplants at KEM. He stated, "We will have to keep patients in the hospital in isolation rooms for more days. But even then, we never know how post-transplant outcomes can be."

Pandav's loss, following a historic medical milestone, highlights the complexities and risks associated with heart transplants.