Dr. Sandeep Attawar

Dr. Sandeep Attawar is one of India's most experienced cardiothoracic surgeons and a pioneer in advanced heart failure surgery, cardiac transplantation, and mechanical circulatory support. Currently the Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Heart Transplantation at KIMS Hospitals in Hyderabad, he has performed over 150 heart transplants and multiple heart-lung transplants, placing him among the most prolific transplant surgeons in South Asia.

He trained in cardiothoracic surgery at premier institutions in India and then at the Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, UK — one of Europe's premier cardiac and transplant centres — where he gained expertise in heart and lung transplantation and mechanical assist devices. He obtained the FRCS from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and returned to India to build India's heart transplant program at Apollo Hospitals before moving to KIMS.

Dr. Attawar's work has been instrumental in expanding access to heart transplantation in India, including contributions to India's deceased donor organ procurement network and inter-city organ transport protocols. His team at KIMS was among the first in India to implant the HeartMate 3 LVAD, a breakthrough device for patients with advanced heart failure who are awaiting transplantation or cannot undergo transplant.

Beyond transplant, he performs the full range of cardiothoracic procedures including CABG, valve surgery, aortic surgery, and congenital heart defect repair in adults.

Dr. Attawar completed his MBBS and MS (General Surgery) in India before pursuing MCh in Cardiothoracic Surgery, the highest surgical postgraduate qualification in Indian medical education. He undertook advanced fellowship training in cardiac transplantation and mechanical circulatory support at Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, UK — then one of the UK's leading centres for heart and lung transplantation. He obtained the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCS). He is a member of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), and participates actively in ISHLT's guidelines development and transplant outcomes registry.

Dr. Attawar's signature specialisation is advanced heart failure surgery. He performs orthotopic heart transplantation and heart-lung transplantation, managing the complete pathway from pre-transplant workup and listing through surgery and post-transplant immunosuppression management. He implants left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) — including the HeartMate 3 — as bridge-to-transplant, bridge-to-decision, and destination therapy in suitable patients.

For coronary disease, he performs on-pump and off-pump CABG. For valvular disease, he performs mitral valve repair and replacement, aortic valve repair and replacement including root surgery, and tricuspid valve repair. In aortic surgery, he manages aortic aneurysm and dissection. He also performs adult congenital heart defect repairs including ASD, VSD, and more complex lesions.

Dr. Attawar consults in English, Hindi, and Telugu. KIMS Hospitals has an international patient services department serving patients from across South Asia, the Middle East, and the Indian diaspora worldwide. Heart transplantation for international patients requires coordination with India's transplant authority (NOTTO/SOTTO), and waiting times depend on donor availability. For non-transplant cardiothoracic surgery (CABG, valve surgery, aortic surgery), international patients can schedule elective procedures with relatively short lead times. Video consultations are available for pre-operative assessment and second opinions on surgical planning. India offers world-class cardiac surgery at costs 50-80% below US and UK private rates.

Dr. Attawar has received recognition from the Indian Association of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgeons (IACTS) for his contributions to heart transplantation in India. He has been a visiting professor at multiple international cardiac surgery programs and presented at ISHLT and STS annual congresses. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles on cardiac transplantation outcomes, LVAD management, and advanced heart failure surgery in the Indian context.