Heart outlook hopeful

Press, 19 February 1988, Page 6

Heart outlook hopeful

PA Auckland The heart transplant recipient, Jennifer Wilson, has suffered a rejection of her donor organ, but a hospital spokesman said the outlook was hopeful. “We expect she will pull through very well,” said the Green Lane Hospital transplant team spokesman, Dr Neil Middleton.

Mrs Wilson, aged 54, a mother of three, was expected out of isolation yesterday, but when a biopsy on Wednesday revealed inflammation of the heart, all thoughts of lifting the ban were abandoned for at least a week.

“We have put her back on the full anti-rejection drug regimen and medicines to protect her heart. It is all a bit unclear but she will probably have to stay on them for five to seven days,” he said.

The drugs diminish the normal body response to infection in order to stop her “eating up” the foreign tissue. “But it also weakens the immune system, which is why she must remain in strict isolation. She is remarkably well considering,” Dr Middleton said.

“We are confident she will improve. There is no reason why she should not. She was disappointed, but she is a remarkable woman and has stayed perky and optimistic.” Green Lane Hospital’s two other heart transplant patients, Brian Lindsay (who died) and Phillip Robinson, both suffered one bout of rejection. “Virtually every patient has one at some stage,” Dr Middleton said. Mrs Wilson’s husband will still be able to visit her.