Penn Cardiac Care Performs its 500th Heart
Transplant
Four years ago, Kevin Greenfield* was just a typical teenage boy who enjoyed
school and spending time with his friends, but one hot summer day his
life completely changed. While playing during school recess, he fainted
and was rushed to the hospital for what doctors declared as heat stroke.
But several months later, Kevin did not feel well and noticed that simple
activities like walking up and down steps were extremely challenging
for him.
His doctors were puzzled, but suspected a viral
infection and, like Kevin and his family, were concerned
about the significant decline in his health. “I
thought it was just my asthma acting up. No one in
my family has ever had any serious medical problems.”
Though
Kevin never feared the worst, he was forced to
face a sobering reality when tests revealed that
he was suffering from congestive heart failure, a
condition in which fluid builds up and acts like
a barrier to the normal oxygen exchange between the
heart, lungs and entire body. It was this condition
which caused Kevin’s fatigue and shortness of breath.
For the next three years, Kevin was in and out of
different hospitals, trying various medications and
devices to help his weakened heart pump more effectively.
Unfortunately, nothing worked.
In January of 2003, Kevin was referred to Andrew
Kao, MD, a heart failure specialist at Penn Cardiac
Care at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center-Hospital
of the University of Pennsylvania. Due to the severity
of Kevin’s heart failure, Dr. Kao recommended
that he receive a heart transplant.
A team of specially-trained cardiologists, surgeons,
pulmonologists, nurses, psychiatrists, and rehabilitation
specialists at Penn evaluated Kevin and confirmed
that a transplant was appropriate for Kevin. “Most
people think that transplantation is not an option
for such a young person, when in fact the opposite
is true,” said Carol Twomey, transplant coordinator
at the Hospital. “Many young patients do well
with heart transplant surgery, due to their age and
ability to recover quickly. They can live a normal
life without having to limit their activities or
depend on various medications.”
The Penn Cardiac Care
team are national leaders in heart transplantation,
and perform more heart transplants in the region
according to the United Network of Organ Sharing.
In fact, Kevin became the 500th patient at Penn to
receive a heart transplant. Michael
A. Acker, MD,
Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery for
the University of Pennsylvania Health System and
surgical director of the Heart Transplantation and
Mechanical Assist Program at the Hospital, performed
the surgery.
“Kevin impressed me from the beginning.
Though only 17, he was incredibly mature - really
the man of the household and showed tremendous strength
in dealing with his deteriorating health, while still
taking care of his family. It was one of the most
satisfying transplants I have ever done,” said
Dr. Acker.
Six days following the procedure, Kevin was able
to go home - just in time to celebrate his 18th birthday. “For
the past 3 years I’ve had to spend most of
the holidays and my birthdays in the hospital. I’m
excited to finally spend them with my family and
friends at home.”
This summer, he will resume
his position as block captain in his neighborhood
and participate in activities at his church. He
also plans to attend culinary school in the fall.
Kevin’s
mother is extremely happy and thankful to have her
son with her again. “After years of failed
treatments, Penn gave my son a second chance and
I thank God for that everyday.”
*Patient’s name changed to protect privacy.
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