The fatal family gene that means all eight siblings need a transplant

Hamad and Mohammed Yahyaee and each of their siblings carry the gene that leads to congestive heart failure-dilated cardiomyopathy.

Cardiomyopathy can be acquired or inherited from family members. According to the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, “acquired” means a person is born with the disease, but develops it because of another disease, condition or factor. Inherited means parents pass the gene on. Often, the cause is not known.

As the condition worsens, the heart becomes weaker and is less able to pump blood through the body. This can lead to heart failure and then can cause fluid to build up in the lungs, ankles, feet, legs or abdomen, causing severe pain. Hamad and Mohammed’s condition meant that only a heart transplant, one of the most complex medical surgeries, could save their lives.

Dr Sandeep Attawar, the programme director for cardiac surgery at Gleneagles Hospital, said: “They underwent cadaver heart transplants at our hospital this year. It is actually very rare to find donors that matched their age, body weight, blood type and other similar characteristics in a short span.

“It took four-and-half hours to complete Hamad’s transplant, whereas Mohammad’s transplant was done in less than four hours. A hospital gets approximately six hours to conduct the transplant from the time that the heart has been removed from the donor.”

India’s proximity to the Arabian Gulf and the lower cost of medical care there has led to a growing number of transplant patients flying there for surgery, although Indian citizens get priority for donor organs.

“We are receiving a growing number of patients from the UAE and Oman, which has naturally brought us in contact with hospitals, physicians and health systems in these countries,” said Renu Malik Vij, the associate vice president of international business at Gleneagles Global Hospitals.

Heart transplants at the hospital cost between US$60,000 – or Dh220,338 – and $75,000. Hamad and Mohammed’s surgery was paid for by the Government.

It is actually very rare to find donors that matched their age, body weight, blood type and other similar characteristics in a short span