Dictionary definition of “domino transplant”

domino transplant

n. an organ transplant in which a donor’s heart and lungs are transplanted into second person whose heart, in turn, is transplanted into a third person. Subjects: English, Medical

Comments? | Cites | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Citations: 1987 USA Today (May 22) “Transplant duo meet” p. 2A: Clinton House and John Couch—medical history’s first “domino” organ transplant patients—met Thursday for the first time at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.…House…received a heart and lungs from a brain-dead car accident victim. House’s lungs had been ruined by the genetic disease, but his heart was healthy enough to transplant into Couch. 1994 Hannah Mcgee Quality of Life Following Renal Failure (June 1) p. 139: She was assailed with morbid quilt about the donor of her heart and lungs and also excessively preoccupied with the child who had received her heart in a so called “domino” transplant. 2005 Heartzine.com (Feb. 12) “Historic Domino Heart Transplant in Babies”: The life-saving opportunity occured, after the organs of a baby that could not be saved became available. During a 12-hour surgery, Jason received the heart and lungs transplant, making available at the same time a healthy and perfectly compatible heart for Kyla. The procedure was historical because it was the first domino heart transplant performed on patients so young; thus, Jason became the youngest living heart donor and Kyla, the youngest recipient.

Posted 16 Feb 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend