SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Seven percent of the country’s lungs The transplant are now associated with respiratory problems caused by COVID-19. Whether for this reason or for others, UCSF celebrates a milestone – his 1000th lung transplant since his first surgery more than thirty years ago.
They name 60-year-old Patrick Alexander patient number 1,000. The insurance agent from Fresno is recovering from the 1,000. Lung transplant in hospital since program began in 1991.
“We don’t know much about the donor family or the donor himself, but we’re just so grateful,” he said.
Alexander had scarring on his lungs that impeded oxygen’s ability to enter the bloodstream. UCSF’s transplant expertise is world-class.
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“The one-year survival rate is really best in the country and has been for over a decade,” said Dr. Steve Hays, UCSF Pulmonologist. “Also, our long-term survival is really improving every year, so patients who get a transplant now have an expectation that they could live almost 12 years.”
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It is expected that in about a year Alexander will be able to resume an active life with travel, sports and other activities. Complications after transplantation are now rare.
“We went from 19 percent, almost 19-20 percent respiratory complications that required some kind of intervention to less than one percent, which is quite remarkable because no other program has been able to match this result,” said Dr. Jasleen Kukreja. UCSF transplant surgeon.
Alexander can expect to add 10 to 12 years to his life.
“A year ago we didn’t even know Patrick had the disease. She was progressing so fast,” said Alexander’s wife, Allison. “We are just so grateful to the staff at UCSF. You were so thorough.”
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