Dr. Vishal Khullar – Cardiothoracic and Heart Transplant Surgeon in Mumbai

Dr. Vishal Khullar is the Director of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at Fortis Hospital Mulund, Mumbai. His official Fortis profile reports 34 years of professional experience. His clinical expertise includes coronary artery bypass surgery, complex heart valve procedures, aortic surgery, heart and lung transplantation and mechanical circulatory support.

Dr. Vishal Khullar holds an MBBS, MS in General Surgery and MCh, together with advanced surgical fellowships relating to cardiovascular surgery, thoracic surgery, heart and lung transplantation, and aortic surgery. His professional background includes advanced training at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and clinical experience at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Coronary artery bypass grafting is a major component of Dr. Khullar's reported surgical practice. CABG is used to improve blood supply to the heart muscle in selected patients with significant coronary artery disease. Surgical assessment considers the number and location of blockages, heart function, other medical conditions and alternative treatment options.

Dr. Khullar also specialises in heart valve surgery, including procedures involving the mitral, aortic and tricuspid valves. Heart valve abnormalities may cause breathlessness, reduced exercise tolerance or heart failure. Depending on the valve condition and individual anatomy, treatment may involve repair, replacement or another specialised intervention.

Complex aortic operations and repeat cardiac surgery are additional areas of his expertise. These procedures may be required for selected aortic aneurysms, structural abnormalities or complications arising after previous heart operations. Surgical planning requires detailed imaging, evaluation of the patient's cardiovascular health and coordination with a specialist cardiac team.

Heart and lung transplantation and advanced mechanical circulatory support are significant areas of Dr. Khullar's published professional experience. His personal website reports involvement in complex transplant and ventricular assist device procedures during his international career. Patients requiring evaluation for advanced cardiac surgery can enquire through Fortis Hospital Mulund or another confirmed consultation centre in Mumbai.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)

Coronary artery bypass grafting is a surgical procedure used to improve blood flow to the heart muscle in selected patients with significant coronary artery disease. A healthy blood vessel is used to create an alternative pathway around a narrowed or blocked coronary artery. The decision to perform bypass surgery depends on coronary anatomy, symptoms, and overall heart function.

Beating Heart Bypass Surgery

Beating heart bypass surgery, also called off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery, is performed while the heart continues beating without the routine use of a heart-lung bypass machine. It may be suitable for selected patients requiring coronary revascularisation. The surgical team evaluates coronary anatomy, the patient's medical condition, and procedural risks before selecting this approach.

Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement

Mitral valve surgery is used to treat significant mitral regurgitation or stenosis when intervention is clinically indicated. Valve repair aims to preserve the patient's existing valve, while replacement involves implanting a mechanical or biological prosthetic valve. The appropriate approach depends on valve anatomy, disease severity, symptoms, heart function, and the likelihood of a durable repair.

Aortic Valve Repair and Replacement

Aortic valve surgery may be recommended for selected patients with severe aortic stenosis or regurgitation. Depending on the condition and valve anatomy, surgery may involve repairing the existing valve or replacing it with a mechanical or biological prosthesis. Treatment planning considers symptoms, ventricular function, associated aortic disease, age, and the patient's overall operative risk.

Tricuspid Valve Surgery

Tricuspid valve surgery treats selected cases of significant tricuspid valve disease, particularly severe regurgitation associated with symptoms or right-sided heart dysfunction. Surgical repair may improve valve function, while replacement may be required when repair is unsuitable. The treatment approach depends on valve structure, right ventricular function, associated cardiac conditions, and the patient's surgical risk.

Aortic Aneurysm Surgery

An aortic aneurysm is an abnormal enlargement of part of the aorta, the main blood vessel carrying blood from the heart. Surgery may be considered when an aneurysm reaches a concerning size, grows rapidly, causes symptoms, or has other high-risk characteristics. Management depends on its location, measurements, underlying cause, and individual risk factors.

Aortic Root Replacement

Aortic root replacement is performed for selected abnormalities affecting the section of the aorta immediately connected to the heart. These may include aortic root aneurysms or associated valve disease. Depending on the patient's anatomy, surgery may preserve the native aortic valve or include valve replacement. Detailed imaging helps determine the appropriate surgical reconstruction.

Ascending Aortic Replacement

Ascending aortic replacement is a surgical procedure used to treat certain aneurysms, dissections, or structural abnormalities affecting the ascending aorta. The diseased segment is replaced with a synthetic vascular graft. Surgical timing and technique depend on the aortic diameter, rate of enlargement, associated valve problems, symptoms, and the risk of serious aortic complications.

Aortic Arch Replacement

Aortic arch replacement addresses selected aneurysms, dissections, and other diseases involving the curved portion of the aorta that supplies blood to the head and upper limbs. Surgery involves reconstruction using a vascular graft and may require specialised techniques to protect the brain and other organs. Careful imaging and individualised surgical planning are essential.

Aortic Dissection Surgery

Aortic dissection occurs when a tear develops in the inner layer of the aortic wall, allowing blood to separate its layers. Acute dissections involving the ascending aorta generally require emergency surgical assessment and often urgent repair. Treatment depends on the dissection's location, extent, complications, and the patient's clinical stability.

Redo Cardiac Surgery

Redo cardiac surgery refers to another heart operation after a previous cardiac procedure. It may be necessary because of recurrent valve disease, graft problems, infection, or other cardiac complications. Repeat operations can be technically challenging because of scar tissue and altered anatomy. Detailed imaging, risk assessment, and experienced surgical planning are important.

Infective Endocarditis Surgery

Infective endocarditis is an infection involving the inner lining of the heart, usually affecting one or more heart valves. Surgery may be necessary when infection causes severe valve dysfunction, heart failure, uncontrolled infection, or complications such as abscess formation. Treatment typically combines antimicrobial therapy with specialist cardiac assessment and, when indicated, surgical intervention.

Pericardiectomy

Pericardiectomy is an operation to remove part or most of the pericardium, the protective sac surrounding the heart. It may be considered for selected patients with constrictive pericarditis, a condition in which a thickened or rigid pericardium restricts normal heart filling. Surgical evaluation includes cardiac imaging, haemodynamic assessment, and careful consideration of operative risks.

Heart Transplantation

Heart transplantation may be considered for carefully selected patients with advanced heart failure when other appropriate medical, device-based, or surgical treatments are insufficient. The procedure replaces the failing heart with a suitable donor heart. Eligibility requires comprehensive assessment of organ function, associated illnesses, transplant suitability, and the ability to undergo long-term follow-up.

Lung Transplantation

Lung transplantation is a treatment option for selected patients with advanced, irreversible lung disease despite appropriate medical care. Depending on the underlying condition, a single or double lung transplant may be considered. Evaluation includes respiratory function, cardiovascular health, infections, other medical conditions, and suitability for lifelong immunosuppressive treatment and specialist follow-up.

Mechanical Circulatory Support – LVAD and ECMO

Mechanical circulatory support uses specialised devices to assist patients with severe heart or cardiopulmonary failure. A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) supports blood pumping in selected advanced heart failure patients. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can provide temporary circulatory or respiratory support in critical situations. The choice depends on the diagnosis, urgency, and treatment goals.