Heart Patient Improves, Still Awaits Transplant

The first recipient of the Penn State heart, recovering from his implant surgery and a subsequent neurological problem, ate a turkey sandwich Monday and sat in a chair for 30 minutes, hospital officials said.

Anthony Mandia, who received the artificial heart Friday, said that he was looking forward to receiving a human heart and getting out of the hospital.

Doctors at Hershey Medical Center implanted the device as a temporary measure until a suitable human heart could be transplanted. One was rejected Monday because the donor was 50 pounds lighter than Mandia, said cardiologist Dwight Davis.

‘Looking for a Heart’

“Right now, I’m just looking for a heart,” Mandia said during an interview with a hospital official. “As soon as I get a heart, I’ll be out of here.”

Dr. John Burnside, a hospital spokesman, said that Mandia was doing well and “is better than at any time” since entering the hospital.

Monday afternoon, Mandia was helped to his feet, stood briefly and then sat in a chair for 30 minutes while visiting with his parents, Rita and Ernest Mandia Sr., Burnside said.

The 44-year-old Philadelphia bachelor, his diseased heart just hours away from giving out, was the first human to be given the Penn State heart. Doctors implanted the one-pound, air driven device into his chest during a nearly five-hour operation.