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First Heart Lung Transplant
The simple act of taking a leisurely walk with his son is a new and luxurious pleasure for Paul Barratt, who recently became WA’s first recipient of a heart-lung transplant. Mr Barratt had suffered from a rare congenital heart disease from birth and his health and lifestyle were becoming increasingly affected before he received the transplant at Royal Perth Hospital about two months ago. The double transplant was made possible when the State Government last year funded the expansion of the heart transplant program to include lung transplantation. The 12-person surgical team was led by cardiothoracic Robert Larbalestier and the entire process was a huge team effort involving: surgeons, respiratory physicians, cardiologists, intensive care physicians, specialist anaesthetists, theatre technicians, nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, dieticians, social workers, ward 6G staff, clinical immunologists and infections disease consultants. Mr Barratt, 45, said he had been sick his whole life and had always been restricted from any physical activity – but he managed to cover it well. “I ran my own IT business but I had to start closing it down because my health was deteriorating,” Mr Barratt said. “After the transplant I felt shocking but I was so well two weeks later that I was allowed home. “I can now walk more than six kilometres an hour which I have never been able to do in my life.” Mr Barratt said the best outcome of the transplant was being able to spend quality time with his family and knowing he would see his son grow up. Cardiothoracic surgeon Robert Larbalestier who led the procedure said heart and lung transplants were very rare. This was because donor organs were in such high demand, and because there were very narrow guidelines for matching a recipient to donor organs. “Transplant recipients have significant commonalties with the donor such as blood type, height and weight and matching lung size,” Mr Larbalestier said. “Paul was the best candidate for the operation because he looked after himself – he was as fit and healthy as he could have possibly been and was compliant with the doctors’ advice.” Mr Barratt will have to be on immuno-suppressant drugs for the rest of his life, but he is ecstatic about receiving a new lease on life. “I would like to honour the work of the Royal Perth Hospital transplant team and DonateWest,” Mr Barratt said. June 2005 |
