First Successful Animal Heart Transplant
Dr. Alexis Carrel, a French surgeon, performed the first successful heart transplant in a dog, laying the groundwork for future research into organ transplantation.
1905
1964
First Human Heart Transplant Attempt
Dr. James Hardy attempted the first human heart transplant using a chimpanzee heart at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The patient survived for only 90 minutes.
1967
First Successful Human Heart Transplant
Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the first successful human heart transplant in Cape Town, South Africa. The patient, Louis Washkansky, lived for 18 days post-surgery.
1968
First Heart Transplant in the United States
Dr. Norman Shumway performed the first successful heart transplant in the United States at Stanford University, significantly advancing the field of heart transplantation.
1980
Introduction of Cyclosporine
The introduction of cyclosporine, an immunosuppressive drug, revolutionized heart transplant surgery by significantly reducing the risk of organ rejection.
1983
Cyclosporine Approved by FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved cyclosporine for clinical use, making heart transplant surgery more viable and successful.
1984
First Pediatric Heart Transplant
Dr. Leonard Bailey performed the first successful pediatric heart transplant on Baby Fae, who received a baboon heart. Although she lived for only 21 days, the case highlighted the potential for pediatric transplants.
1994
Introduction of Tacrolimus
Tacrolimus, another immunosuppressive drug, was introduced, offering an alternative to cyclosporine and further improving heart transplant outcomes.
2000
Advancements in Heart Preservation Techniques
New techniques for preserving donor hearts, such as the use of specialized preservation solutions, were developed, extending the viable time for heart transplants.
2004
First Successful Heart-Lung Transplant
The first successful combined heart-lung transplant was performed, demonstrating the potential for multi-organ transplants in patients with complex medical conditions.
2007
Introduction of the Total Artificial Heart
The FDA approved the use of the Total Artificial Heart as a bridge to heart transplant, providing a temporary solution for patients awaiting a donor heart.
2010
Advancements in Immunosuppressive Therapy
New immunosuppressive therapies were introduced, reducing the side effects and improving the long-term outcomes for heart transplant recipients.
2015
First HIV-Positive Heart Transplant
The first heart transplant from an HIV-positive donor to an HIV-positive recipient was performed, expanding the donor pool and offering new hope for patients living with HIV.
2019
Innovations in Heart Transplant Surgery
Innovative surgical techniques, including minimally invasive procedures, were developed, reducing recovery times and improving patient outcomes.
2022
First Pig Heart Transplant in a Human
Surgeons at the University of Maryland Medical Center performed the first successful transplant of a genetically modified pig heart into a human, marking a significant milestone in xenotransplantation.
2024
Advancements in Genomic Medicine
The integration of genomic medicine in heart transplant procedures offered personalized treatment plans, enhancing the success rates and long-term health of transplant recipients.
