Heart Airlifted From Thiruvananthapuram, Successfully Transplanted Into Young Patient In Kochi

Last Updated:September 11, 2025, 23:48 IST

Doctors at a private hospital successfully performed a heart transplant after the organ was airlifted from Thiruvananthapuram with the support of the Kerala government.

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Doctors at a private hospital successfully carried out a heart transplant after the organ was airlifted from Thiruvananthapuram with assistance from the Kerala government, hospital officials said on Thursday.

The heart of Kottarakara native Isaac, who was declared brain-dead following an accident, was transplanted into 28-year-old Ajin from Angamaly at Lisie Hospital here.

Ajin was suffering from Kawasaki disease, a rare condition that causes inflammation of the coronary arteries.

After the accident, Isaac had been admitted to KIMS Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, where doctors later declared him brain-dead. According to a statement of the hospital, despite their grief, his family decided to donate his organs.

Lisie Hospital received an alert from the state-run organ donation network on Wednesday night, Mrithasanjeevani-KSOTTO, about the availability of the organ. Preparations for retrieval began immediately.

Hospital director Fr. Paul Karedan alerted Industries Minister P. Rajeev, who then contacted Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The state government subsequently arranged for a police-hired helicopter to be provided free of cost for the transport.

A medical team led by Dr Jacob Abraham, including Dr Jeevesh Thomas, Dr Jo Joseph and Dr Sreeshankar, conducted the retrieval surgery at KIMS Hospital at 8 am. The helicopter carrying the heart departed from Thiruvananthapuram and landed at a Kochi hotel helipad at 1:30 p.m. Within four minutes, using a police-prepared green corridor, the organ was rushed to Lisie Hospital.

A transplant team led by Dr Jose Chacko Periyappuram began the surgery immediately and completed it by 7 pm. “The next 48 hours are as critical as the operation itself,” Dr Periyappuram said.

Chief Minister Vijayan praised Isaac’s family for their decision to donate his organs.

“It is inspiring that Isaac had already expressed his willingness for organ donation. liver, kidneys, and corneas, he gifted sight to two people and new life to four others, making himself immortal,” the CM said.

(With inputs from PTI)

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