‘Heart in a box’ op duo tell of new hope
Two patients who were critically ill are looking forward to Chris tmas af ter becoming the first in Scotland to have transplants using a new technology.
Roger Marr, 46, from East Lothian and Jul ie- Ann Morris, 41, from Glasgow, had the “heart in a box” ops using the Organ Care System at the Golden Jubilee Nat iona l Hospi ta l in Clydebank earlier this year.
OCS is described as the world’s first portable system which keeps donated human organs functioning outside the body for longer ahead of transplant.
It s i mu l a t e s the conditions in the body and allows the organs to work as they would normally do.
The hospital said the OCS extends the amount of time a donated organ can remain in a condition suitable for transplantation.
Instead of the traditional ice-box method, the “heart in a box” works by providing the donor organ with glucose, oxygen and blood – doubling the amount of time a donated heart is viable for transplant.
Roger, from Prestonpans, said: “I owe so much to the donor, their fami ly and transplant team at the Jubilee, I can’t put into words my gratitude or how I feel.
“They saved my life and gave me a life with my newborn son, who is now running me ragged.”
Julie-Ann received her heart days after being put on the transplant list. She said : “You see sma l l improvements every week.”