For 25 Years, Another's Heart Beats In His Chest

Marlene Cimons is a freelance writer and previously a reporter for the Los Angeles Times.  She specializes in science and medicine. Cimons contributed an article to Live Science's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights, in which the life of a recipient of a successful heart transplant is celebrated. Thomas Cook had a heart transplant 25 years ago and surgeons at the time were amazed when his body accepted the new organ, a concept which continues to delight surgeons today.

The transplant took place on Feb 1, 1989 at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington. Cook, who is now 50, has hit an unexpected milestone and is among a number of long-surviving heart transplant patients. During a recent check-up doctors were delighted to announce that the transplanted heart is still healthy and strong.  The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) announced that the chances of surviving more than 20 years after a transplant of this kind are less than one in 10.  Transplant patients are also said to be living longer due to medication and after care. Improvements in technology are said to be a contributing factor according to Irving L. Kron, spokesperson for the American Association, “immunosuppression is so much better and we have fantastic new technology, and that's what's made all the difference.”  In Cook’s case, age was considered to be on his side as medication at the time was not as advanced as it is now.

Cook’s condition was discovered when he was 4 years old and he was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome (a genetic condition which can lead to heart problems). Cook’s surgery was carried out when he was 25 years old and although he encountered various problems throughout the procedure, the operation succeeded. The heart was donated by Jeffrey Lord Brown, a 27 year old man who announced brain dead the day before Cook’s surgery, paving the way for the lifesaving operation.  In the US there are currently in excess of 120,000 people awaiting organ donation and many more requiring tissue to restore mobility and cornea transplants to revive sight.