A 69-year-old Kearney man is resting comfortably today after receiving a heart transplant Monday night at The Nebraska Medical Center.
It is the second heart transplant here in just 18 days, adding further excitement to the growing congestive heart failure and heart transplant program at The Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
“Less than 24 hours out of surgery, our patient is doing very well,” said Mohammad Quader, M.D. lead transplant surgeon at The Nebraska Medical Center and associate professor of cardiothoracic surgery at UNMC. “Surgery for heart failure and heart transplants is my passion. I have absolutely no doubt that this program will excel.”
“It was good for the team and the program to have another transplant so quickly,” said Kim Duncan, M.D. chief of cardiothoracic surgery at The Nebraska Medical Center and professor of cardiothoracic surgery at UNMC. “It helps build the kind of cohesive atmosphere that you need in the operating room and around the patient. It is also good for the program in that it creates interest and enthusiasm for the program across the region.”
Monday’s transplant brings continued optimism to a program that was reactivated in 2004 after a six year hiatus. The team’s first successful surgery since 1999 occurred a little more than two weeks ago (beginning late Sept. 29 and ending the next morning). That patient, 34-year-old Mark Maeder of Papillion is out of the hospital and recovering at home. Two more patients remain on the heart transplant waiting list.
Transplantation is the last of many treatments options for patients with advanced heart failure. The congestive heart failure and heart transplant program first explores other therapies ranging from medication to the use of mechanical heart devices.
“In the spectrum of treatments, medication comes first followed by mechanical means like bi-ventricular pacing,” said John Windle, M.D., chief of cardiology at The Nebraska Medical Center and professor and of cardiology at UNMC. “A left ventricular assist device may also come into play.”
Transplant cardiologist Ioana Dumitru, M.D., specializes in guiding patients through their treatment options. “Since Dr. Dumitru has been here, we’ve been able to care for much sicker patients,” Dr. Windle said. “With her expertise she can target treatments in a very specific way, so all patients benefit from her being here.”
Dr. Windle expects to see more patients come in with congestive heart failure as treatment options continue to improve and the population continues to age.
For information on how to become an organ donor call 1-800-95-ORGAN.