A life-saving surgery marks major milestone for University of Minnesota Heart Transplantation programs and University of Minnesota Medical Center

MINNEAPOLIS (February 10, 2010) The Heart Transplantation Program at the University of Minnesota reached a significant milestone by performing its 700th heart transplant at University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview. The six hour surgery was performed February 2nd on a 47-year-old North Dakota man. Doctors say he is doing very well.

The patient suffered from dilated cardiomyopathy, a serious disease in which the heart muscle becomes inflamed and doesn't work as well as it should. Ten months ago, he received a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). An LVAD is a battery powered, mechanical pump that helps maintain the pumping ability of a heart that can't effectively work on its own.

“We’re thrilled the patient is doing so well,” said Ranjit John, M.D., one of the surgeons who performed the transplant. “He’s making a great recovery and should have a bright future in front of him.”

“Teamwork is what makes our program so successful,” said Kenneth Liao, M.D., surgical director of cardiac transplantation at University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview. “Our program has given hope to so many people – it is wonderful to celebrate this achievement.”

The heart transplant program at the University of Minnesota is one of the oldest of its kind in the world. University surgeons performed the region’s first heart transplant in 1978. University of Minnesota Physicians are recognized for excellence in heart transplantation.

“We’re grateful to the donors and their families,” said Monica Colvin-Adams, M.D., medical director for cardiac transplantation. “Without their lifesaving gifts, none of this would be possible. They’re the real heroes today.”

The University of Minnesota Heart Transplantation Program is world-renowned for leading-edge therapies. In addition to being leaders in the area of using mechanical circulatory support to bridge patients to transplant, the program also performs heart transplantation in combination with kidney transplantation and other organs. The program is internationally renowned for applying innovative uses of anti-rejection drug therapies.

Physicians at the University of Minnesota led the way in the early 1980s by treating heart transplant recipients with a triple-therapy anti-rejection drug combination. The result was a significant improvement in patient survival rates, and a new national trend.