Mater Hospital celebrates 38th anniversary of longest living heart transplant recipient

The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital today marks a major milestone, the 38th anniversary of the longest living heart transplant surgery in the country.

Andy Kavanagh was just 19 years of age when he underwent a heart transplant at the Mater Hospital.

Only a handful of heart transplants had taken place at the hospital when the Dublin teenager underwent his surgery in 1986, under the care of renowned surgeons Mr. Maurice Nelligan and Mr. Freddie Wood.

38 years after this pioneering transplant surgery, Andy Kavanagh continues to thrive; the married father of one and grandfather of three from Coolock works in An Post and lives a full and active life.

The median survival for heart transplant is now around fifteen years, so Andy has far surpassed that average and is only one year behind the longest surviving heart transplant patient globally.

Andy (pictured above) says he is thankful every day to his donor David and his family who donated his organs including his heart after tragically he was killed by a drunk driver in 1986.

“My donor David was the same age as I was when he died and I was lucky enough to meet his family a year after my transplant.

“I put an ad into the paper on the one year anniversary to thank him and his family and then they contacted me.

“If it wasn’t for their decision, I may not be here today – organ donation saves lives.”

Andy Kavanagh was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy after a flu type illness attacked the muscles of his heart when he was only 18 years of age.

Andy Kavanagh, heart transplant nurse Tomcy Baby and consultant cardiologist at the Mater Hospital Emer Joyce.

Faced with the prospect of dying or undergoing what was then a new procedure in Ireland, the decision was made by the multidisciplinary team at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital to put him forward for transplantation.

He is now one of the longest surviving heart transplant recipients in the world.

But, his journey has not been without difficulties; Andy was diagnosed with cancer in 2000 and had to have a kidney removed.

Due to the anti-rejection medication he was taking for his heart, his other kidney soon failed and he needed a kidney transplant, which he received in 2006.

The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital first began its heart transplant programme in 1985 and continues to be the national centre for heart and lung transplants where over 400 transplants have since been performed.

In the last ten years, the programme has been expanded and now includes mechanical heart pumps, which can be implanted in patients awaiting transplant or those not eligible for transplant to keep them healthier and living full active lives for as long as possible.

Dr. Emer Joyce, consultant cardiologist at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, said “Andy is one of the first of the more than 400 recipients who have received the gift of life via their organ donors through the Mater’s Heart Transplant service.

“Considering that the prognosis now for heart transplant patients is much better than it was when Andy received his donor heart in 1986, his journey is remarkable, especially given other obstacles he has had to overcome including undergoing a kidney transplant.

“Living long and well following a heart transplant takes strong dedication from not just the recipient and their families but also from the dedicated transplant professionals and teams.

“It is crucial that our multidisciplinary transplant services such as our own in the Mater Hospital receive adequate funding and resources to be able to drive forward the field and achieve outcomes like Andy’s for as many recipients as possible.

“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Andy for his work as a superb peer advocate for patients more recently undergoing transplantation.”

Dr Brian O’Brien, Director Organ Donation Transplant Ireland, said “Imminent changes to legislation will see doctors and nurses approach families with an expectation of consent to donation.

“We greatly encourage everyone to discuss their views on this most vital issue with those close to them.

“We thank Andy for this update and for sharing his story with us. While this particular outcome is remarkable, we hope to make such long periods of survival after transplant more common.

“This can only be done through research and study predicated on the altruism of donors like David and the courage and innovation of Mr. Kavanagh and his medical team.”