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Best Cardiovascular Surgeons for Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Implantation in Chennai, India

This page lists 3 left ventricular assist device (lvad) implantation doctors in Chennai, India. Review each doctor's experience, specialty and hospital, then contact our care team for help with the next step.

Quick answer

This page lists 3 left ventricular assist device (lvad) implantation doctors in Chennai, India. Review each doctor's experience, specialty and hospital, then contact our care team for help with the next step.

About Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Implantation doctors in Chennai, India

This directory is based on doctors currently listed in GAF Healthcare's registry. Clinical suitability varies by patient; a doctor should review your history and investigations before any treatment decision.

Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Implantation doctors

Image not available Featured

Dr. A. S. Hariharan

MBBS, DNB, DNB
Visiting Consultant — Cardiac Surgery · Specialty: Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon
Rela Hospital Chennai, India12+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
  • 12+ years of experience in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon
  • Visiting Consultant — Cardiac Surgery, Rela Hospital, Chennai (Present)
  • Senior Consultant & Junior Consultant, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Chennai
Expertise & Procedures
  • Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
  • Aortic Aneurysm Repair and Replacement
  • Aortic Root Replacement
  • Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
  • Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR)
View all procedures →
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon Experience: 12+ YearsHospital Affiliation: Rela HospitalHospital accreditation: NABH, NABL
View Profile Book a Consultation
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Dr. D. Senthil Kumar

M.Ch., M.S., M.B.B.S.
Senior Consultant — Cardiac Surgery · Specialty: Cardiac Surgeon
Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre Chennai, India19+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
  • 19+ years of experience in Cardiac Surgeon
  • Senior Consultant — Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre, Chennai, Present
  • Senior Cardiac Surgeon, Fortis Hospital, India (experience prior to current role)
Expertise & Procedures
  • Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
  • Heart Valve Repair and Replacement Surgery
  • Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
  • Robotic-Assisted Cardiac Procedures
  • Heart and Lung Transplantation
View all procedures →
Cardiac Surgeon Experience: 19+ YearsHospital Affiliation: Dr. Rela Institute & Medical CentreHospital accreditation: NABH, NABL
View Profile Book a Consultation
Image not available

Dr. Srinath Vijayasekharan

MBBS, MS, DNB
Director and Senior Consultant — Cardiac Surgery · Specialty: Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre Chennai, India26+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
  • 26+ years of experience in Cardiothoracic Surgeon
  • Director and Senior Consultant, Cardiac Surgery — Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre, Chennai
  • Senior Consultant, Cardiothoracic Surgery — MGM Healthcare, India
Expertise & Procedures
  • Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
  • Minimally Invasive CABG
  • Heart Transplantation
  • Lung Transplantation
  • Heart-Lung Transplantation
View all procedures →
Cardiothoracic Surgeon Experience: 26+ YearsHospital Affiliation: Dr. Rela Institute & Medical CentreHospital accreditation: NABH, NABL
View Profile Book a Consultation

Hospitals where these doctors practise

Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre🇮🇳 Chennai, India
Starting from$45,000

Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre

Est. 2018
NABH — National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers accreditationNABL — National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories accreditation
Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) ImplantationCardiovascular SurgeryCardiac SurgeryCardiology
3+
Doctors for Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Implantation
4.7
108 reviews
450+
Beds
8+
Years Since Founded
Dr. A. S. HariharanDr. D. Senthil KumarDr. Srinath Vijayasekharan
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Why consider treatment in India?

Many international patients consider India for heart failure treatment for several reasons, including:

More affordable estimates

Competitive indicative costs compared with many other countries, for similar clinical standards.

Internationally accredited hospitals

Hospitals experienced in treating international patients.

Experienced specialists

Doctors who regularly manage similar cases.

Care coordination support

A team to help with planning, medical translation and follow-up.

About the Procedure

What is Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Implantation?

A Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) is a mechanical pump surgically implanted to help a weakened heart's left ventricle pump blood to the rest of the body. It is used for patients with advanced (end-stage) heart failure either as a bridge to heart transplantation or as long-term destination therapy when transplant is not an option. The device is connected to an external controller and battery pack worn by the patient. LVAD implantation is a major cardiac surgery typically performed through open-heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Who may be considered?

Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Implantation may be considered after a qualified specialist reviews your reports and medical history. Suitability varies from person to person and must be assessed by your treating doctor.

How does it work?

The chest is opened via a full median sternotomy, and the LVAD pump is implanted at the apex of the left ventricle with the outflow graft connected to the aorta, using cardiopulmonary bypass.

2 approaches available for this procedure:

Full Sternotomy LVAD Implantation

Most Common

The chest is opened via a full median sternotomy, and the LVAD pump is implanted at the apex of the left ventricle with the outflow graft connected to the aorta, using cardiopulmonary bypass.

Comprehensive Investigations

Estimated cost: $1,200 - $3,500

ECG, 2D Echocardiogram with ejection fraction assessment, right heart catheterization, coronary angiography, CT chest with contrast, CBC, kidney and liver function tests, coagulation profile (PT/INR), blood grouping and cross-matching, pulmonary function tests, psychosocial evaluation

Treatment / Procedure Estimate

Estimated cost in India: $45,000 - $75,000

Stay in India

Pre-procedure stay (outside hospital): ~3-4 days
Hospitalisation: ~14-21 days
Recovery period (outside hospital): ~30-45 days recommended
Total stay: approx 45-70 days

Usually Included in Hospital Package

  • LVAD device and implantation surgery
  • ICU and ward stay
  • Cardiac surgeon, anesthetist and perfusionist fees
  • Post-operative monitoring and driveline care training
  • Standard medications during hospital stay

Usually Not Included

  • Pre-procedure investigations and screening
  • Heart transplant evaluation (if applicable)
  • Long-term anticoagulation medications after discharge
  • Companion accommodation and international travel
  • Extended ICU stay due to complications

Recovery and follow-up

Patients typically spend 1-2 weeks in the ICU/step-down unit followed by rehabilitation and training on driveline care, device operation and battery management before discharge, with regular follow-up visits for INR monitoring and device checks. Most patients return to daily activities within 4-8 weeks, though full adjustment to living with an LVAD may take several months.

Risks

Potential risks include bleeding, infection (especially at the driveline exit site), stroke, device thrombosis, right heart failure, and arrhythmias, requiring lifelong anticoagulation and close medical follow-up. Device malfunction or the need for pump exchange, though uncommon, can also occur over time.

Alternatives

Alternatives include heart transplantation (if the patient is a suitable candidate and a donor organ is available), optimal medical and drug therapy for heart failure, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), or palliative care for patients not eligible for surgical intervention. The choice depends on the severity of heart failure, transplant eligibility, and overall patient condition.

What we need to prepare a formal estimate

Share whatever you have — the care team will confirm the final checklist after reviewing your case.

Reports required

  • Recent 2D Echocardiogram report with ejection fraction
  • Right and left heart catheterization report
  • Coronary angiography images/report
  • Recent ECG
  • CT chest scan report
  • Complete blood count and metabolic panel
  • Current medication list and heart failure treatment history
  • Cardiologist's referral letter and NYHA functional class

Patient information needed

  • Age and body weight/height
  • Current NYHA heart failure class and symptoms
  • History of prior cardiac surgeries or interventions
  • Kidney and liver function status
  • Existing comorbidities (diabetes, lung disease, prior stroke)
  • Candidacy status for heart transplant (bridge vs destination therapy)
  • Availability of a trained caregiver for long-term device management
  • Current medications including blood thinners

Costs shown are indicative planning estimates based on typical pricing across leading Indian hospitals. They are not a quote — actual pricing depends on your case complexity, hospital choice, and length of stay. Share your reports for a personalized estimate.

Want a formal estimate?

Share your reports and patient information so our care coordination team can review your case.

How this directory is built

Doctors are matched using the specialty, location, condition (Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Implantation) and procedure (Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Implantation) recorded in their profiles. Inclusion is not an endorsement and does not guarantee a treatment outcome.

Need help with the next step?

Share your needs with our care coordination team for information about doctors and hospitals.

Common questions

FAQs about Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Implantation in Chennai, India

What is Heart Failure?
Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump or fill with blood effectively enough to sustain normal bodily function, causing fluid to back up into the lungs or body tissues. It is not a single disease but a clinical syndrome with multiple underlying causes and varying degrees of severity.
What are the symptoms and health risks of Heart Failure?
Common symptoms include breathlessness at rest or on exertion, persistent fatigue, swelling of the legs and ankles, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and difficulty lying flat due to breathing discomfort. In more advanced cases, people may experience sudden weight gain from fluid retention, reduced ability to exercise, and episodes of severe breathlessness at night. These symptoms can overlap with many other conditions, so their presence alone is not sufficient to establish a diagnosis of heart failure.
How is Heart Failure diagnosed?
Heart failure is typically assessed using a combination of clinical history, physical examination, blood tests (including natriuretic peptide levels such as BNP or NT-proBNP), a 12-lead electrocardiogram, and echocardiography to measure heart structure and pumping function. The ejection fraction — a key measure of how much blood the left ventricle pumps with each beat — is central to classification: heart failure may be categorised as HFrEF (reduced ejection fraction, generally below 40%), HFmrEF (mildly reduced, 40–49%), or HFpEF (preserved ejection fraction, 50% or above). Additional investigations such as cardiac MRI, coronary angiography, or exercise stress testing may be requested depending on the suspected underlying cause and the individual's overall clinical picture.
How is Heart Failure treated?
Treatment for heart failure is tailored to the underlying cause, ejection fraction category, symptom severity, and the presence of complications such as arrhythmias or valve disease. For many patients, a combination of guideline-directed medical therapy and lifestyle changes forms the cornerstone of long-term management, while others may require device-based or surgical interventions. Procedures available for eligible patients include implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation, cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT or CRT-D) to improve the heart's coordination, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation as a bridge to transplant or as destination therapy, and heart transplantation for carefully selected patients with end-stage disease.
Can Heart Failure be treated without a procedure?
For most patients, non-procedural management is the primary or initial approach and includes evidence-based medications — such as ACE inhibitors, ARNIs, beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and SGLT2 inhibitors — alongside dietary sodium and fluid restriction, graded physical activity or cardiac rehabilitation, and close monitoring of weight and symptoms. Regular follow-up is critical because heart failure is a dynamic condition that may require adjustments to therapy over time. Non-surgical management alone may not be sufficient for patients with severely reduced heart function, refractory symptoms, or life-threatening arrhythmias, in which case procedural options are evaluated.
When is Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Implantation considered for Heart Failure?
Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Implantation may be considered only when it is appropriate for the confirmed diagnosis and the expected benefit outweighs the individual risks. The decision may depend on symptom severity, investigation results, previous treatment, overall health and the patient's goals. A specialist should discuss alternatives and recovery before any procedure is planned.
Which doctor treats Heart Failure?
Heart failure is typically managed by a cardiologist with expertise in heart failure and advanced cardiac therapies, often working within a multidisciplinary team. For patients requiring device implantation, surgical intervention, or transplant evaluation, a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon with relevant experience in these procedures will also be involved in care planning.
How do I choose a doctor for Heart Failure?
When comparing clinicians or centres for heart failure care, it is worth looking at the specialist's experience with your specific ejection fraction category and any coexisting conditions, the centre's access to advanced therapies such as LVAD programmes and transplant services, and whether a dedicated heart failure multidisciplinary team is in place to coordinate ongoing monitoring and follow-up.
What documents do international patients need to share for a medical evaluation?
Share a concise medical summary, symptom timeline, previous diagnoses, investigation and imaging reports, procedure or biopsy reports where relevant, current medicines, allergies and related treatment records. Provide clear copies with translations when needed. The reviewing doctor may request additional information before giving an opinion.
How does GAF Healthcare help international patients plan treatment in India?
Our care coordination team can review the initial information, help identify suitable doctors and hospitals, request a medical opinion where available, explain next steps and indicative cost information, and support practical planning before travel. A remote opinion does not replace an in-person examination or emergency care.
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