Oldest Heart Transplant Survivor Dies 33 Years After Surgery

When the organ donation and transplantation was an emerging technique in the 1980’s, John McCafferty, diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy at the age of 39 was given a new lease of life with a heart transplant in 1982.The life-saving operation was performed by the world-renowned surgeon Sir Magdi Yacoub at Harefield Hospital in Middlesex, UK.

Doctors had told John that he can live only for five more years after the transplant. But in 2013, John surpassed the previous survival record of 30 years, 11 months and 10 days, set by American Tony Huesman, who died in 2009.

He was awarded the Guinness World Record certificate in December 2013 for the longest-surviving heart transplant patient. But unfortunately, 33 years after the heart transplant, John has reportedly died due to sepsis and renal failure at the age of 73.

After being presented with his Guinness World Record certificate, he said, "At the time of my heart transplant I was told that I might expect to live for another five years if the procedure was a success. The idea that I would live to see my 70s was inconceivable. Yet here I am.”

"I want this world record to be an inspiration to anyone awaiting a heart transplant and to those who, like me, have been fortunate enough to have had one. My advice is always to be hopeful, to look ahead with a positive mind, and, of course, to follow the expert medical advice."

Source-Medindia