First heart transplant on woman performed in Malta
A young mother has been given a second chance at life following the first heart transplant in a woman since the state hospital's transplant programme was set up 13 years ago.
Cardiac transplants in women are rare, with more heart failure patients of transplantable age being men and this marked the first of the 35 performed by consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Alex Manchè.
"Heart disease affects four men to every woman but the situation is changing and females are catching up fast," Mr Manchè explained.
Mr Manchè explained that the female patient contracted a rare condition of heart failure associated with pregnancy. Her child is now three years old and the mother had been critically ill since she gave birth. But because the blood pressure in her lung circulation was initially prohibitively high, she only became a transplant candidate recently.
An ICD was implanted over two years ago by cardiac electrophysiology specialist Oscar Aquilina and the chairman of Mater Dei Hospital's cardiac unit Albert Fenech.
The device corrected the patient's high pressure and fine-tuned its rhythm, prolonging her life until a donor heart was available. It even delivered a shock, restarting the heart when it once stopped, Mr Manchè noted.
"It is often the case that a donor organ is not available at the time it is desperately needed but these devices can be implanted to prolong the workings of a weak heart until a suitable one is offered.
The cardiac transplant programme in Malta was founded by Mr Manchè following his experience in starting a programme at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London in 1985. "We successfully transplanted 22 patients in the first year and this gave me the impetus to start a programme here," he said.
Mater Dei's cardiac unit averages one transplant a year and it is always a major event, involving much work and worry... but also success. Ten of its 13 transplantees are alive and well and its achievements compare favourably with international figures of a seven-year survival of 65 per cent.
"They are living a full life and our first transplantee has enjoyed his new heart for over 13 years and is still going strong," Mr Manchè proudly reports.
Video includes graphic images.
Video copyright timesofmalta.com and stock footage of Alpha Productions.
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laurence schembri
Nov 25th 2009, 12:46
alex Manche, the miracle worker. Well done Profs.
david calleja-urry
Nov 25th 2009, 09:25
Alex has given so much hope and life to thousands - when i think of the people and events that make me proud to me Maltese - this person figures very high on my list - pity our political class can't match our medical boys and girls - we'd really be the envy of all then!! Great job - well done to all involved in this.
Pule' Carmel
Nov 24th 2009, 18:19
Complements to all the surgical team and the engineering team who kept the electricity supply going during the operation and those who invented and built and maintained the complex equipment for use during the operation and obviously all those who constructed the building, it is certainly a long list where all society should be proud to contribute for such operations to be made possible, and finaly nature itself which heals all the wounds without any human intervention. Finaly we may thank God for all the completion and finishing touches which takes place naturally on the patient when everybody else goes home.
Roderick Micallef
Nov 24th 2009, 13:25
Wow, these are absolutely fantastic figures which makes me proud to be Maltese. Well done to Dr. Manche and his team, for saving so money lifes and for giving us something to be proud of. You are the true angels and saints because you are giving something which is beyond words and money but you are giving life with your professionalism!
Michael Catania
Nov 24th 2009, 12:16
I have nothing but praise for Dr. Manche and the rest of the very capable staff. We have to make sure that we preserve all their expertise for the future good of all. Th service and care they all unselfishly give to those in need is highly commendable.
C. cardona
Nov 23rd 2009, 21:27
Well done Mr. Manche - his dedication is incredible. However, we sometimes hail the miracle working surgeons/ doctors and forget the dedicated nursing staff, in these heart surgery cases, especially the nurses on the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. They are professional and competent nurses who take care of these patients immediately after the operation when it is the most critical period. I am talking from experience when a relative of mine was under their care. Bless you all and keep up the fantastic work.
Dorienne Portelli
Nov 23rd 2009, 21:02
A word of praise to Mr Manche's team.. wish to give a heartfelt mention to Mr Galea.. You make us (Gozitans) proud.. God bless you all!
Anthony Castillo
Nov 23rd 2009, 19:49
Thank God this is what we got when we invest in the best like Dr MANCHE and ITS WHOLE TEAM Dr FENECH ,Dr XEUREB, AND THE REST OF THE TEAM LIKE NURSES AND ALSO WHEN YOU HAVE A HOSPITAL LIKE MATER DIE STATE OF THE ART. THANK YOU VERY MUCH GOES TO THE PN GOVERMENTS.
victor pulis
Nov 23rd 2009, 18:42
I would also like to add my admiration for Mr. Manche and the rest of the dedicated staff at CSW. These are our unsung heroes who are performing wonders everyday without blowing any trumpets. The humility with which these gentlemen approach their patients is unbelievable. Thank you all for your dedication. You are people after my own heart if you'll excuse the pun.
grace cassar
Nov 23rd 2009, 18:12
Once again, he has performed a miracle. Once again a big thanks to Mr. Manche. He operated on my sister Kathleen a couple of years ago. He is so kind and dedicated. I and my family wish him all the best cause he is the best. Family Cassar.
Jesmond Micallef
Nov 23rd 2009, 17:27
The surgical and medical professions touch the human spirit very deeply, very deeply indeed. With my respect to Dr. Manche' and wishes of good health and recovery to this woman.
victor borg
Nov 23rd 2009, 16:28
I am one of the many that wonderful person MR MANCHE saved his life i had a bypass operation
back in 1999 and while i was in intensive care after the operation he came straight as soon as he was
asked and stayed by my bedside for a very long time in the middle of the night untill the worst was
over i feel he saved my life twice mr Manche you are always in my prayers may the Lord keep you
and those working to keep us alive in good health
Chris Borg
Nov 23rd 2009, 16:05
Thanks to Dr Manche & his team.
Vincent Galea
Nov 23rd 2009, 15:19
It is written that he who saves one life it is as if he saved the entire world.
joecam
Nov 23rd 2009, 14:57
Prosit !!! god bles you all the medical team,prosit a great success Prosit Dr Manche'
T.Sammut
Nov 23rd 2009, 11:42
PROSIT!! God has blessed us with a team of brilliant surgeons who give their utmost for the weak of heart. keep up the good work and may God bless you and keep you well.
Rodney Testa
Nov 23rd 2009, 10:49
Well Done to anyone involved in this superb intervention.....You've been instrumental to give a person a 2nd chance to life.
PLS EVERYONE do Donate organs and blood....you're donating life!!
H. Scicluna
Nov 23rd 2009, 10:24
Fantastic Alex.....God bless you :)
g.c.Forte
Nov 23rd 2009, 10:11
Went through an operation myself ( Bypass in 2001 ) today I still going strong. I am proud to say that we have the best team in the world regarding the cardiac department. We are very fortunate that the Lord choose this island and gave us gentlemen like we have. Without taking any merit from all of you,because you are all GREAT. I wish to give a special thanks to you Mr. Manche.
JANE CAMILLERI HABER
Nov 23rd 2009, 10:04
proset dr. manche. you have once again put us on the international level enjoyed only by few large countries. I personally want to also thank you since I did not have the pleasure of doing so in person, for the succesful operation of my dear mother in law margerita camilleri who is doing fine and is back in the midst of us, her loving family. my thanks comes also from my four children her sons and daughters and her husband Simon.
jsammut
Nov 23rd 2009, 09:53
god bless you dr Manchè,well done !!!!!!