Community Corner

5 Things to Know about Dick Cheney's Heart Transplant

McLean neighbor continues to recuperate

Former vice president and McLean neighbor Dick Cheney continues to recuperate from his weekend heart transplant at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church.

The New York Times Monday answered several questions surrounding Cheney's operation. The paper interviewed his principal cardiologist, Jonathan S. Reiner, with the permission of the Cheney family. In case you missed the Times story here you go:

1. When did Cheney decide to have a transplant.

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Dr. Reiner said Cheney's name was put on the nationwide transplant list before the vice president made up his mind about a transplant. Cheney made the final decision two months ago.

2. Cheney has previously been treated at George Washington University Hospital. Why not do the surgery there?

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 Because that hospital does not perform heart transplants and is just beginning to implant ventricular assist devices, his team has worked with a team headed by Dr. Shashank Desai at Inova Fairfax in caring for Mr. Cheney.

3. Did Cheney receive a heart transplant ahead of others because of who he is?

No. He was on the waiting list for 20 months. The average waiting time is 12-18, Dr. Reiner said. Also transplant surgeons insist "that cheating is not possible" because of the way the list is setup and patients are chosen by an independent panel. Read complete explanation here.

4. What are the immediate risks to a transplant patient following the surgery?

Bleeding and infection.

5. What is his future prognosis?

"In people over 65 having heart transplants, statistics show that 85 percent survive at least one year, 75 percent at least three years and 65 percent five years or more, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing, which coordinates transplants nationwide. The figures are based on operations performed from 1997 to 2004," the story said.

Read the full New York Times story here.


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