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UK's Longest-Living Heart-Lung Transplant Recipient Celebrates 40 Years

10/13/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Katie Mitchell of Sidcup, London, is the longest-living heart-lung transplant recipient in the United Kingdom (UK), surviving nearly 40 years since her September 1987 surgery.
Mitchell was diagnosed with Eisenmenger syndrome.
She expressed gratitude for her donor and organ donation.
Consultant transplant surgeon Aaron Ranasinghe noted early survival rates around 85%, with over half surviving 10–12 years.
Currently, 12 people in the UK await heart-lung transplants, underscoring donor need.

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Story summary

Katie Mitchell of Sidcup, London, is the longest-living heart-lung transplant recipient in the United Kingdom (UK), surviving nearly 40 years since her September 1987 surgery.
Mitchell was diagnosed with Eisenmenger syndrome.
She expressed gratitude for her donor and organ donation.
Consultant transplant surgeon Aaron Ranasinghe noted early survival rates around 85%, with over half surviving 10–12 years.
Currently, 12 people in the UK await heart-lung transplants, underscoring donor need.