25 years ago today, “Baby Fae” who had been born just twelve days before had a baboon heart transplant. Stephanie Fae Beauclair was born premature and had an untreatable heart condition at Loma Linda University Medical Center in 1984.
Doctors at Loma Linda University Medical Center searched for a way to save Baby Fae and researched information on heart transplants. A human heart could not be found on short notice, so a baboon’s heart was chosen, and the mother approved the experimental surgery. The country was shocked that such a surgery could be performed. But Dr. Leonard Bailey from Loma Linda University Medical Center had performed six years of research and 150 animal transplants (many of them between species) before Baby Fae arrived at the hospital that day 25 years ago.
Baby Fae survived for remarkable 21 days, two weeks longer than other baboon heart transplant patients. She developed multi-organ failure, and her heart was the last organ to fail. Baby Fae’s surgery opened up medical data needed for heart transplants. Over 500 heart transplant surgeries have been performed at Loma Linda University Medical Center since that date, with many survivors. University of Utah Hospital has had over 1,000 heart transplants many of whom are children.
Sources: San Bernardino Sun, Adventist News Network and U of U Hospital
Recent articles from this examiner:
ESPN fires Steve Phillips and then Twitters about it
Qnexa diet pill shows promise in clinical trials
National Institutes of Health reporting vaccine safe and on its way
Utah joined 350.org International Day of Climate Action
Morrissey collapses at concert and hospitalized
Video: Machida vs Shogun fight upset results
Utes beat Air Force in overtime
Obama declares national emergency for swine flu - many schools closed
Video: Shiloh Pepin the Mermaid Girl died of pneumonia complications
Comments