Children’s Hospital Colorado (Children’s Colorado) has made history with the successful completion of its first-ever pediatric heart and liver dual organ transplant. The groundbreaking procedure, which took place recently, involved a team of medical professionals from 25 different specialties, showcasing the hospital’s collaborative spirit and expertise. To date, only 38 pediatric heart and liver dual organ transplants have been performed across the United States.
Dr. Megan Adams, the surgical director of the Pediatric Liver and Kidney Transplant Programs, expressed immense pride in the achievement. “This milestone is a testament to the dedication and teamwork of our Pediatric Transplant Program,” she said. “Our goal has always been to be leaders in pediatric transplant care, and with this success, we can continue providing complex care to children in need of life-saving organ transplants.”
The hospital’s team had been preparing for this moment for years, anticipating the need for a dual organ transplant. The effort involved a concerted collaboration among several departments, including surgery, cardiology, and hepatology, along with strong leadership support from the hospital. This preparation proved invaluable when Gracie Greenlaw, an 11-year-old patient, urgently needed the transplant.
Gracie was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a rare condition in which one side of the heart does not develop properly. As a result, she required three life-saving surgeries before she was three years old. Although most children with HLHS survive into adulthood, the condition causes long-term complications, including liver failure. Gracie’s case became more complicated over time, as her liver began to fail, prompting her care team to consider a dual heart and liver transplant.
Children’s Colorado launched the Fontan Multidisciplinary Clinic in 2016 to address these chronic issues for HLHS patients. The clinic provides comprehensive care for children with single-ventricle heart conditions, such as tricuspid atresia. Gracie had received integrated care through this program, benefiting from the expertise of cardiologists like Dr. Kathleen Simpson and hepatologists such as Dr. Dania Brigham. Her care team had been closely monitoring her condition for several years, and it was decided that a dual organ transplant would offer her the best chance for a healthy future.
Over the past year, Gracie’s health had worsened, as she developed plastic bronchitis and her liver failure accelerated. In April, she was placed on the waitlist for a heart and liver transplant. Just one month later, a matching organ pair became available, thanks to a donor family’s generosity. The transplant team immediately swung into action, with Dr. Matthew Stone, the surgical director of the Pediatric Heart Transplant Program, and Dr. Emily Downs performing the heart transplant, a nine-hour operation. The donor liver, kept viable using a TransMedics Organ Care System, was safely preserved until the heart surgery was completed.
Once the heart transplant was finished, Dr. Adams and Dr. Kendra Conzen performed the liver transplant, which took an additional seven hours. Coordination between the surgeons and the anesthesiology team was critical to ensure Gracie’s health throughout the procedure. The operation was successful, and Gracie began her recovery journey.
Just over a month after the surgery, Gracie was discharged from the cardiac progress care unit. Seven months post-transplant, Gracie is now attending school and enjoying life with her family and pets. Although she will need another heart transplant in the future, her new liver is expected to last her a lifetime.
Dr. Duncan Wilcox, Surgeon in Chief at Children’s Colorado, expressed his pride in the hospital’s capabilities. “This dual organ transplant highlights the exceptional skill and care our team provides. As the top-ranked pediatric hospital in Colorado, we are committed to supporting patients with complex medical needs and continuing to lead in pediatric transplant care.”
With this milestone, Children’s Hospital Colorado has reaffirmed its position as a leader in pediatric healthcare, providing hope for more children in need of life-saving transplants in the future.
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