The procedure was led by Dr. K R Balakrishnan, Chairman, Cardiac Sciences, Director, Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support, MGM Healthcare, and Dr. Suresh Rao K G, Co Director, Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support, MGM Healthcare, with COO Nilesh Mundada highlighting the hospital’s advanced cardiac care focus.
Chennai, May 21, 2026: MGM Healthcare has successfully implanted a Left Ventricular Assist Device in a nearly 80 year old retired Chennai resident with advanced heart failure, marking a significant cardiac care milestone in India.
The patient had end stage heart failure along with low blood pressure, worsening kidney function and lung congestion. His heart had become too weak to pump enough blood to the rest of the body, resulting in severe breathlessness and repeated ICU admissions. On one occasion, he had to be readmitted to the ICU on the same day he was discharged.
The condition, known as advanced left ventricular systolic heart failure, affects the left ventricle, which is responsible for pumping blood from the heart to the rest of the body. As the patient’s symptoms worsened, he sought a more definitive treatment option for recurring breathlessness and the underlying heart condition.
Given his advanced age, fragile clinical status and worsening kidney function, the medical team ruled out heart transplantation and chose LVAD implantation. An LVAD is a mechanical heart pump that supports the weakened left ventricle by helping circulate blood from the heart to the body.
The procedure was performed by a team led by Dr. K R Balakrishnan, Chairman, Cardiac Sciences, Director, Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support, and Dr. Suresh Rao K G, Co Director, Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support, at MGM Healthcare.
Following the successful intervention, the patient recovered in hospital for three weeks before being discharged. He is now living independently, going for regular walks and leading an active life.
Dr. K R Balakrishnan said, “Our heart works as a two-sided pump, the right side sends blood to the lungs, while the left side pumps blood to the rest of the body. In this patient, the left side had become extremely weak and was barely able to perform its function, which is why he was experiencing frequent breathlessness and repeated hospitalisations. A conventional heart transplant was not feasible because of his advanced age, fragile condition and worsening kidney function. Even LVAD implantation carried significant risk, as multiple organs were beginning to fail. We therefore carried out a comprehensive evaluation, including heart function studies, lung pressure assessment, and checks of all major organs from the kidneys to the brain. Although LVAD is usually an elective procedure, in his case there was little time to wait as his organs were deteriorating, making timely intervention critical. We are extremely happy that the procedure went well.”
Dr. Suresh Rao K G said, “LVAD technology was originally introduced as a bridge-to-transplant option for very sick patients awaiting a donor heart. Today, it is also being used selectively as a long-term therapy for patients who may not undergo transplantation. While the hospital has implanted LVADs in many patients below 65 years of age, this is the first time it has performed the procedure in a patient close to 80 years old.”
Nilesh Mundada, COO, MGM Healthcare and Senior Vice President, Finance, MGM Group, said, “MGM Healthcare’s commitment has reflected the milestone of pushing past the boundaries of advanced cardiac care as well as bringing in life-saving innovations to patients. The successful implanting of LVAD in a nearly 80-year-old patient, who had an advanced heart failure, emphasizes the strength of our experts. As heart failure continues to emerge as a growing health challenge, we will remain committed to delivering world-class treatment solutions that help us improve the outcomes and give patients renewed hope and quality of life.”
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