Organ Donation – Know Your Facts

Image courtesy:  http://redcrosspdx.blogspot.com/2008/12/little-threatening-but.html

Which organs can be donated?

Currently one may be able to donate his/her eyes, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, liver, lungs and pancreas depending on their age, medical condition and circumstances at the time of death.

Who can become an organ donor?

All people regardless of age can be considered as potential organ donors. Kindly let your family knows about your wishes. Sign an organ donor card so that there will be no confusion regarding your wish

When must organs be removed?

Organs must be removed as soon as possible after the determination of Brain death

What is brain death?

Brain death is the diagnosis of death, both medically and legally recognized. It occurs when blood flow to the brain stops for an extended period of time.  A brain dead individual is one who has irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions or irreversible loss of all functions including brain stem. An authorized Medical Practitioner normally certifies brain death.

What kind of diseases affect organ donation?

Presence of active cancer, active HIV or any active infections would rule out organ donation.

Will my “organ donation” decision affect my medical care?

No, there are strict legal guidelines that must be followed before brain death can be declared. The doctors who treat the patient at the time of death are in no way involved with those responsible for organ removal. Organ donation is considered only after every effort has been made to save the patient’s life.

Will my family have to pay for donation?

No, there is no charge to the donor family

How is a potential recipient identified?

FRONTIER LIFELINE HOSPITAL maintains a registry of the patients in need of heart transplants. They are identified through a comprehensive evaluation of medical compatibility, organ size, blood type, medical urgency and location.

How successful are heart transplants?

Success rate for heart transplants in Frontier Lifeline is about 80%

Is Frontier Lifeline authorized center for Heart transplantation?

Yes, The Govt. of Tamil Nadu has given us the permission to carry out Heart & Lung transplants.

Golden heart in mouth.. A race won

Dr. K.Krishnagopal

Online Link to the story: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100102/jsp/frontpage/story_11934523.jsp

Organ Donation

Sad demise of famous Dr. Krishnagopal from Vadamalayan Hospital, Madurai

Organs of the doctor donated to various hospitals in the state

Chennai, December 31, 2009 – Dr. K. Krishnagopal, famous Cardiothoracic surgeon at Vadamalayan Heart foundation set up by him as a part of Vadamalayan hospital, Madurai had an ill-fated fall at his residence on 26^th December 2009. After a five day long intensive care at Vadamalayan Hospital, he was declared brain dead today. His organs were donated to various hospitals in the state.

The family of the doctor had agreed to have his heart donated to Dr. K.M. Cherian’s Frontier Lifeline Hospital and one of his kidneys is being sent to Meenakshi Mission Hospital & Research Center (MMHRC) in Madurai and the other kidney to a hospital in Tirunelveli.

Dr. Krishnagopal, aged 40 was the Chief Cardiothoracic surgeon of Vadamalayan Heart Foundation, a unit of Vadamalyan Hospital in Madurai. On 26^th December, saturday, Dr. Krishnagopal suffered a very unfortunate fall at his residence and sustained severe head injuries. He was rushed to Vadamalayan hospital by ambulance and underwent intensive treatment by his close associates and colleagues at the hospital. After being declared brain dead on Thursday, December 31, 2009, the doctor’s family decided to donate his organs.

Ms. Jeyapriya, wife of Dr. Krishnagopal said “He always believed in serving the society and gave up a lucrative career in Singapore in order to serve the people in his motherland. Having made so many hearts beat successfully, it’s our wish for his heart to continue beating. He has always been an advocate of organ donation. Through this decision, he has participated in his final act of serving the society”.

Dr. Krishna Gopal had graduated in MCh from JIPMER in the year 2000. After which, he qualified with a FRCS from Edinburgh University. Having been trained in Singapore and later having worked with his mentor DR. K.M. Cherian at Fronter Lifleine hospital, he had put his skills to good use by performing over 400 surgeries in the past 2 years of his service at Vadamalayan Heart Foundation.

Dr. K. Krishnagopal

Online Links to the story:

http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/01/stories/2010010155010400.htm

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Wife-helps-in-transplant-of-doc-husbands-organs/articleshow/5401251.cms

Live Life … Once More!!

A year ago (on the 23 rd of September, 2008), 9-year-old Abirami received the gift of life  through the tragic demise of 16-year-old Hithendran in an untimely road accident. . Abirami had previously undergone stem cell therapy at our hospital. The therapy was conducted in full quality by the hospital but unfortunately it failed ; her final and only option was a heart transplant within a very limited time frame.

The critical phone call came after Hithendran’s parents who are both doctors, decided on a multi-organ donation, thus benefiting at least 7 others apart from Abirami. Their medical background and training allowed for a spontaneous consent and Hithendran’s organs were put to maximum use.

As is demonstrated by this incident, it is imperative that the donor’s family, grief counselors, attending physicians, organ harvest team, the State and Police, and the transplant surgeons worked cohesively and seamlessly as a team to ensure the possibility of a fresh lease of life to a waiting recipient.

Hearts prevail over Time & Distance

Successfully completed heart transplants in recent days are proof enough to the  phenomenal advancement in telecommunications and transportation in this country. What used to take days to organize and coordinate is now  achieved in  matter of hours, well within the critical window of opportunity permissible, known as the ‘golden hour’, for such a delicate and complex procedure.

The lightning speed in which suitable recipients were identified for the donor’s organs speaks of the commitment of those involved in order to offer a fresh lease to the anxious recipients awaiting the critical phone call. Once a donor was confirmed, Abirami of Bangalore was identified as an ideal candidate. Good planning and smooth coordination enabled immediate notification to Abirami’s parents on Monday night and arrangements were straight away made to transport her to Chennai where her new heart was waiting.

The heart itself found its way smoothly from Apollo Specialty hospital, where it was expertly harvested by Frontier Lifeline’s Organ Harvest Team, to Frontier Lifeline in a record time of 11 minutes. The route which usually takes a minimum of 40 minutes under normal traffic conditions was magically cleared during peak traffic hours with the timely help of Chennai’s Traffic Police.

Within 28 minutes of having been removed from the donor’s body, the heart found itself placed in its new home and it was a matter of expert surgical skills which got the heart beating once more, 90 minutes after it had last beat within the chest of the donor.

It was a miracle for all to witness as the heart pumped strongly within Abirami’s chest, infusing her frail form with rich oxygenated blood.

But miracles often have a human element as well and that came in the form of the donor Hithendran. Under such emotionally charged circumstances the pragmatic decision of his parents to donate his organs takes great strength of spirit. As doctors, the implications and benefits of this altruistic act were not lost on them and they remained true to their noble profession of selfless service.

Today Hithendran continues to live on through at least 8 persons who enjoy a better quality of life through his premature sacrifice.

Think About It

• You could help up to 50 people if you decide to donate your organs and tissue.
• Your Heart could beat for someone else. Your Lungs could breathe for someone else.
• Your Kidneys could free two people from dialysis.
• Your Liver could save the life of a person awaiting transplantation.
• Your Corneas could give sight to two people.
• Your Bones could help repair other people’s damaged joints.
• Your Skin could help heal many burn victims.

For further details please visit;

FAQs on Organ Donation : http://www.frontierlifeline.com/pdf/organ%20donation%20FAQ.pdf

Donor card: http://www.frontierlifeline.com/pdf/donar-card.pdf