Dr. Victor Chang: Google Doodle Honors Trailblazing Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Dr. Victor Chang: Google Doodle Honors Trailblazing Cardiothoracic Surgeon
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| Dr. Victor Chang |
Google Doodle paid tribute to Dr. Victor Chang, a Chinese Australian cardiothoracic surgeon celebrated for his pioneering contributions to modern heart transplantation surgery.
A significant figure in the field of cardiovascular surgery, Dr. Chang would have marked his 87th birthday today had he not been tragically killed in Sydney over three decades ago.
Born in Shanghai in 1936, Dr. Victor Chang relocated to Australia in the mid-1950s to live with extended family. His journey led him to study in the United States and the United Kingdom before returning to St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, Australia.
In Sydney, he collaborated with the team that conducted Australia's most significant heart transplantation in 1968, according to the research institute named in his honor. Dr. Chang performed the country's most successful heart transplant in 1984. A month later, he operated on 14-year-old Fiona Coote, who became the longest-surviving heart transplant recipient in the country. Notably, he also pioneered the development of an artificial heart valve for surgical use.
In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Chang was awarded Australia's highest honor in 1986 for his service to international relations between Australia and China, as well as to medical science.
Tragically, Dr. Chang's life was cut short in 1991 at the age of 54 during a failed extortion attempt. Three years later, an institute was established in his name dedicated to research.
According to the Victor Chang Heart Research Institute, the loss of Dr. Chang's mother to breast cancer in 1948 significantly influenced his decision to pursue a career in medicine.
History of Heart Transplants
The first successful human-to-human heart transplant took place in 1967, performed by Christiaan Barnard in South Africa. Although the recipient passed away a month later, the surgery was considered a success.
In subsequent years, there were around 100 heart transplants, but the survival rate was low, with only 10 recipients surviving two years post-operation.
Advancements in immunosuppression and patient care in the following decade significantly improved survival rates. By 2021, over 8,000 heart transplants will be conducted globally.
However, the demand for human organs far exceeds their availability. In 2018, over 150,000 Europeans were on the waiting list for organ transplants. Scientists are investigating xenotransplantation, the transplantation of creature organs into people, as a possible arrangement.
Recently, the second person to receive a genetically modified pig's heart in an experimental transplantation passed away about six weeks after the surgery. The researchers involved thanked the patient, Lawrence Faucette, for contributing to advancing xenotransplant research.
Reflecting on Chang's legacy in a video, he expressed deep gratitude towards organ donors' families, acknowledging their immense contribution to saving lives.
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