Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) in India: what it actually costs
What Are the Advantages of an LVAD? The blood flow to a person whose heart has been compromised by heart disease is restored with an LVAD. Some symptoms, such as being always exhausted or having trouble breathing, are alleviated by this. In a few rare instances, it allows the heart to rest, allowing it to regain its usual capabilities. Other organs are preserved or improved, exercise is made easier, and cardiac rehabilitation is permitted. How does the LVAD function? Numerous LVAD models are available. Based on your needs and medical situation, the doctor will suggest the option that is ideal for you. During open heart surgery, the LVAD is placed. Depending on the kind of device, the LVAD may have different pieces, but generally, there are four essential elements: The chest is where the pump unit is positioned. The surgeon inserts it into the heart's apex, where it gets blood. The aorta, a large artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body, is then supplied with this blood via a tube from the apparatus. It functions by continually pumping blood from the left ventricle to the aorta. The driveline (cable) and control system are connected to the pump (controller). The driveline travels from the gadget via your abdominal skin to the controller, which is an external tiny computer. You may control the system by using the controller, which also controls the pump and sends out messages and alerts. The LVAD is powered by a power source, such as rechargeable batteries or a wire that connects to a wall outlet. Risks Using and implanting a ventricular assist device (VAD) carries the following potential risks and complications: Bleeding: Your risk of bleeding increases with any type of surgery. Clots of blood: Blood clots may develop while your blood flows through your VAD. A VAD blood clot may restrict or obstruct blood flow, resulting in a heart attack, stroke, or issues with the device itself. Infection: There is a higher chance of infection in the region since the VAD's power source and control unit are external to your body and connected via a wire (line) that passes through a tiny skin port. An infection may develop there or in your blood as a result. Device issues: After being implanted, a VAD may occasionally stop functioning correctly. For instance, the power source might malfunction or the device might not pump blood adequately. Each of these issues calls for prompt medical treatment and can necessitate replacing the pump. Right heart failure: The left ventricle of your heart will pump more blood than usual if an LVAD is installed. If there is more blood present, your right ventricle could not be strong enough to manage it. In some cases, a temporary pump is needed to assist the right ventricle. In the long run, medications or other treatments could improve how well the right ventricle pumps.
What the price includes
- Lead left ventricular assist device (lvad) surgeon and specialized surgical team fees
- Operating theatre charges and consumable surgical packs
- Dedicated post-operative inpatient room stay
- Routine laboratory diagnostics, scans and pre-op clearance
- In-hospital clinical medications and recovery nursing
- Pre-departure follow-up consultation and fit-to-fly assessment
What it does not include
- International return flights and baggage
- Serviced accommodation and meals after discharge
- Attendant and patient Indian medical visa processing
- Management of incidental pre-existing conditions
- Long-term medication refills in home country
- Secondary home-country outpatient rehabilitation
What each hospital charges
Same clinical excellence across 5 accredited partner hospitals. Marlin charges no patient commission — figures are transparent official hospital estimates.
Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
Delhi NCR • 4 days in hospital • lands at Delhi / Nearest Hub
NABH & JCI accreditedAccredited Partner
$20,000
from
Accredited multi-speciality tertiary hospital featuring state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities and dedicated international patient care desk.
Nights in hospital4
Surgery techniqueMinimally Invasive
Senior specialist surgeonSenior Operating Faculty
Whole trip from Lagos
flights, hotel, visas
$21,810 – $22,930
Estimate your whole trip, not just the surgery
Flights, hotel, food and visas for the full 20 days — so the number you budget for is what you actually spend.
Your estimated total
$21,810 – $22,930
- Surgery, hospital and care$20,000 fixed
- Return flights (1 passenger)$920
- Hotel & meals during recovery$810
- Indian medical visas$80
The upper figure allows for a longer stay. The implant and surgery are fixed. Marlin adds nothing to any of these numbers.
Surgeons who do this operation every week
Senior consultants at JCI/NABH accredited centres with decades of dedicated procedural volume.
Dr. Ashok Rajgopal
Senior Reconstructive Surgeon
Internationally recognized senior consultant with thousands of successful clinical procedures.
Dr. S.K.S Marya
Chairman of Department
Globally renowned medical faculty with extensive international patient advisory tenure.
Dr. Vinesh Mathur
Senior Specialist
Renowned expert with international fellowships and over 15,000 successful clinical procedures.
What the three weeks actually look like
From sending your first medical scans to your fit-to-fly clearance.
Before you fly
Reports and a surgeon’s opinion
Send your X-rays and medical history. Within 24–48 hours you get a named surgeon’s written opinion and a costed plan from each hospital you shortlist.
Day 1–2
Arrival and tests
Airport pickup, hotel check-in and hospital consultation. Blood work, ECG, anaesthesia clearance and a fitness review are completed the same or next day.
Day 3
Surgery
The operation takes 60–90 minutes per joint. You are moved to your private room the same day and stood up with support within 24 hours.
Day 4–7
Walking with physio
Twice-daily physiotherapy in the ward. Most patients walk with a frame by day two after surgery and manage stairs before discharge.
Day 8–21
Recovery and review
You stay near the hospital in a serviced hotel with outpatient physio, then a final review, stitch removal and fit-to-fly clearance before you travel home.
✓ Verified international patient
“I paid the hospital directly at the billing counter and the number matched the estimate Marlin sent me in Nairobi. Nobody asked me for a single extra shilling.”
Questions patients ask before they book
Essential details on payments, visa processing, language and post-operative flight permissions.
Who do I pay, and when?+
You pay the hospital directly, at their official billing counter, in Indian rupees or by international credit card. There is usually an advance deposit on admission and the balance settled at discharge. Marlin never handles your money and charges you zero fees.
What if the cost changes after I arrive?+
The hospital re-confirms the estimate after your in-person tests. It can only move if your surgeon discovers complications or you require an extra night in ICU. Anything above the written estimate must be explained to you in writing before it is billed — we sit in on that conversation.
How do I get an Indian medical visa?+
The treating hospital issues an official visa invitation letter once your surgeon reviews and accepts your reports. You apply online for an Indian e-Medical Visa with that letter, passport copies and proof of funds. Your companion applies for a Medical Attendant visa on the same letter.
Will the surgeon and hospital staff speak English?+
Yes, 100%. All medical education and hospital communication in premier Indian hospitals is conducted in English. Translators for Arabic, French, Russian and Swahili are also provided free of charge by the hospital international patient desk.
Can my attendant or family member stay in my room?+
Yes. In all private and deluxe hospital rooms, an attendant couch/bed is provided at no extra charge, allowing one family member to stay overnight with the patient throughout hospitalization.
When is it safe for me to fly back home?+
For joint replacements, surgeons typically issue a fit-to-fly clearance after suture removal and mobility verification at around Day 14 to 21 post-operation. We also provide compression stocking guidance and wheelchair assistance at Indira Gandhi International Airport.