He’s Home 3 Weeks After Getting Artificial Heart, Then Transplant

Richard Dallara, who was kept alive with an artificial heart until receiving a human heart on Oct. 29, went home Thursday from Pacific Presbyterian Medical Center.

Dallara completed the fastest recovery of the nation’s seven cases in which artificial hearts have been used to keep dying patients alive until a donor could be found.

The 33-year-old auto mechanic from Garberville used a heart made by Thoratec Laboratories in Berkeley as a “bridge” until he got the human heart.

In only 21 days, he went from severe cardiac failure to mechanical support to heart transplant and discharge.

Dr. J. Donald Hill, chief heart surgeon at Pacific Presbyterian, and transplant specialist Dr. Barry Levin decided to release Dallara when the most recent of two heart biopsies showed no signs of rejection of the donated organ. They said in a statement that they believe the “best thing for Dallara now is to be home with his family and friends.”

Dallara must return to the hospital once a week for the first month and then once a month for a year for tests that detect early rejection of the heart. For the rest of his life, Dallara must take doses of an anti-rejection drug.