Apollo Hospitals Chennai’s Comprehensive Heart–Lung Transplant Program Transforms Outcomes for Critically Ill Patients

Chennai, 22 January 2026: Apollo Hospitals, Chennai continues to set national benchmarks in advanced heart and lung care through one of India’s most comprehensive heart, lung, and ECMO-supported transplant programs. Backed by a highly experienced multidisciplinary team, the program has successfully performed over 600 heart and lung transplants, managed 2,000+ transplant patients, completed 1,000+ ECMO cases, along with 250+ LVAD procedures and 250+ CTEPH interventions.

The integrated heart–lung transplant and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) program offers personalised, evidence-based solutions for patients with end-stage heart and/or lung failure who no longer respond to maximal medical therapy. Care spans stabilisation, bridging, and definitive treatments, including heart and lung transplantation, durable mechanical heart pumps, and advanced surgical interventions such as Pulmonary Endarterectomy (PEA) for suitable CTEPH patients.

At a press conference marking this milestone, patients from diverse age groups shared inspiring recovery journeys, including survivors who were supported on prolonged ECMO before undergoing successful double-lung transplants. Their stories highlighted the program’s ability to manage extreme clinical complexity and deliver meaningful recovery.

Experts from Apollo emphasised the critical role of early referral, timely ECMO support, and protocol-driven multidisciplinary care in improving outcomes. The program underscores that age alone is not a barrier; rather, meticulous evaluation, expert surgery, intensive after-care, and life-long follow-up are key to long-term survival and quality of life.

Apollo Hospitals’ 360-degree care model seamlessly integrates cardiology, pulmonology, cardiothoracic surgery, critical care, transplant coordination, rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up—ensuring not just survival, but restoration of functional independence and hope for patients and their families.

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