Papworth Performs the UK’s First Successful Beating Human Heart Transplant

A 58 year old Papworth Hospital patient has become the first person in the UK to receive a beating heart. The transplant operation was carried out by a team of surgeons at Papworth Hospital on 22nd May.

A new system for organ conservation, TransMedics’ Organ Care System, was used for this transplantation. After removal from the donor, the heart is placed into the Organ Care System, designed to maintain human organs in a functioning state outside the body. The heart is then immediately revived to a beating state, perfused with oxygen and nutrient-rich blood and maintained at the appropriate temperature. Using the System, organs are kept in their physiological, beating state during transport to the recipient and until implantation.

British Heart Foundation Professor Bruce Rosengard, the UK Principal Investigator for the trial said, “We are extremely excited by the possibilities that this Transmedics Organ Care System offers. This first patient is now seven days post surgery, is back on a normal ward and is doing extremely well. Papworth is one of only four hospitals in Europe who are taking part in this trial and if the System continues to prove successful, it could significantly increase the number of donor hearts available”.

Matching, is so important that donation and allocation of organs needs to be organised nationally. Mr Chris Rudge, Managing and Transplant Director of UK Transplant whose remit is to ensure that donated organs are matched and allocated in a fair and unbiased way said “UK Transplant welcomes any initiative to improve organ quality and availability for patients. As the Organ Care System evolves in the future it offers great promise not only for patients awaiting heart transplantation but also for those awaiting other donated organs”

For further information please contact Morag Parsons or Carol Sharp, Corporate Affairs Office, Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Papworth Everard, Cambridge CB3 8RE, telephone 01480 364657 or email morag.parsons@papworth.nhs.uk