23 February 2009

25th Birthday of St Vincent's Heart Lung Transplantation

NSW Minister for Health, John Della Bosca today joined past patients and staff along with the current generation of medical specialists at St Vincent’s Hospital to celebrate the 25th anniversary of heart lung transplantation in Australia.

Mr Della Bosca said it was on the 23rd of February, 1984, when the late Dr Victor Chang successfully transplanted a heart into a 39 year-old shearer from Armidale, creating one of the proudest moments in Australian medical history.

“In the 25 years since that historic operation, the Heart Lung Transplant Unit at St Vincent’s Hospital has performed more than 1300 transplant operations, including a variety of Australian medical milestones.”

“This highly skilled team has conducted the first bilateral lung transplant, the first heart lung transplant and the first full implantation of a mechanical heart and they are still performing ground breaking, life saving procedures, with the first left and right ventricular artificial heart set to be implanted in coming months,” the Minister for Health said.

In celebrating the 25th Anniversary at St Vincent’s, the Health Minister was joined by former patient, Fiona Coote, CEO of St Vincent’s Hospital, Steven Rubic and Heart Lung Transplant Unit Director, Dr Phillip Spratt in cutting a heart shaped cake.

Mr Della Bosca praised the patient outcomes achieved by the Heart Lung Transplant Unit, which are internationally regarded.

“For heart transplant patients at St Vincent’s, the five year survival rate is nearly 77 per cent, which compares well with the international standard at 68 per cent.

“For cystic fibrosis patients, who undergo a bilateral lung transplant, the survival rate one year post transplant is 92 per cent, compared to the worldwide benchmark of 81 per cent. Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease have an 89 per cent survival rate, which ranks amongst the highest internationally,” Mr Della Bosca said.

The Minister said during Organ Donor Awareness Week 2009, it was important for everyone to consider becoming an organ donor and discussing that decision with their family.

“Without organ donors, the work of units like St Vincent’s would not be possible,” Mr Della Bosca said.

For more information about organ donation call 1800 777 203 or visit www.organdonor.com.au.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au