Baby makes medical history with world’s first heart and thymus transplant
The IndependentThe latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An American baby made medical history by undergoing the world’s first-ever heart and thymus transplant in a procedure that could change the way organ transplants are done. When doctors at North Carolina’s Duke Health transplanted a donated heart into Easton Sinnamon, the youngster also received cultured tissue from the thymus gland of the donor. The thymus stimulates the production of white blood “T cells” that fight off infection, and doctors expected that Easton’s immune system would recognise the donor heart as his own. Easton’s immune system was also not working to fight off infections, so last August he became the world’s first patient to receive a new heart and cultured thymus tissue from the same donor.
Discover Related
)
)
