Kottayam:
A heart transplant was performed for the first time at the government-run Kottayam Medical College Hospital in Kottayam this morning, giving a new lease of life to a patient.
The heart was harvested from a brain dead patient, Vinay Kumar from Aluva in Ernakulam district, and brought in Kottayam early today by road and transplanted successfully on VK Podiyan from Pathanamthitta district.
Dr PK Jaykumar, who led the 40-member team, attributed the first phase success to team work.
The patient's condition was "satisfactory" and the next 48 hours would be very critical, he said, adding, Mr Podiyan would be monitored closely for six weeks.
This feat would enable poor patients to get the best treatment, he said.
Mr Podiyan's wife Omana profusely thanked the donor's family and doctors who performed the transplant.