The "world's first partial heart transplant" has achieved significant success after a year of treatment, with the infant not only surviving the procedure but also experiencing growth in his heart valves and arteries. Owen Munro was born with a heart defect that required repairs to his heart valves and arteries. The infant underwent this pioneering procedure to address the issue in the spring of 2022 when he was only 17 days old.
A study conducted by Duke University physicians, published online on January 2 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that the new method used during the partial heart transplant resulted in functioning valves and arteries that grew with the child as if they were his own. Joseph Torek, MD, the lead author of the study and head of the pediatric cardiac surgery department at Duke University, who led this historic procedure, stated, "This publication is evidence that this technology is successful, this idea is viable, and it can be used to help other children."
The study also revealed that the procedure requires about a quarter of the immunosuppressive medication needed for a full heart transplant, potentially saving patients from harmful side effects that could escalate over decades. Torek explained that this innovation has paved the way for "domino heart transplants," where one heart can save the lives of two patients.
In a domino heart transplant, the first patient, who has healthy valves but needs a stronger heart muscle, receives a full heart from a donor. The first patient then donates their healthy valves to a second patient in need, creating a "domino effect."
It is noteworthy that Owen's partial heart transplant surgery took eight hours to complete. After twenty-eight days post-procedure, the child was able to return home. Today, doctors estimate that he will not require additional surgery in the future. Owen's successful case has since paved the way for 12 other children to undergo this life-saving procedure at four centers around the world, including nine at Duke University, many of which involved domino heart transplants.
