25th October 2009 marked one of the most remarkable day in medical history 25 years ago. The day was so remarkable that it changed the course of history. As Stephanie Fae Beauclair was born, she was not only premature but her heart had also not developed fully. The condition was absolutely untreatable and left baby Fae in a struggle between life and death.
Dr. Bailey of Loma Linda University Medical Center had full fledge dilemma at his hands. He could not wait the science to come up with the answer as the heart was not supplying blood to the body parts of the child in the quantities required and Baby Fae’s condition was worsening rapidly, on the other hand there was no precedent in medical history about treating the condition. Dr. Leonard bailey had to come up with some answer as soon as possible.
Fortunately German scientists had discovered a substance called Cyclosporin. Cyclosporin has not been tested fully at that time but it had a promising profile – as the substance could be used to tinker with the immune system of the body. It lowered the immune response enough to enable the body to accept foreign organs.
This was the answer to Dr. Bailey’s dilemma. Baby Fae was operated just 12 days after her birth. Her malfunctioning heart was replaced with a baboon’s heart.
The news spread around the globe like jungle fire. Every news agency wanted to interview Dr, Bailey. Baby Fae went on to survive for 21 days. As she died her heart was still beating properly.
The surgery was a landmark in the history of medical sciences. The operation provided doctors with the much needed data about transplants and body’s response to foreign organs.
Though a human – animal cross transplant was not attempted again but the human – human heart transplants became a reality.
Baby Fae Baboon Heart
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