How to set a heart transplantation unit in India - A narrative review

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have become the leading cause of mortality in India. This epidemiological transition is largely because of the increase in the prevalence of CVDs and CVD risk factors in India. In 2016, the estimated prevalence of CVDs in India was estimated to be 54.5 million. Heart failure (HF) is a major health problem in India with a postadmission mortality of 20%–30%. Heart transplant is the final treatment for HF if intractable to medical management. Number of heart transplantations done in India is still very less compared to the disease burden and may be attributed to less awareness for organ donation in India. As the number of heart transplantation is increased drastically in the past decade, we need to have proper information about heart transplantation program in India. This is our attempt to simplify information regarding heart transplantation for cardiothoracic units planning to start such a program.