- The General Hospital of La Raza achieved the first heart transplant in the country and since then it has been the leader in this field at the national level.
- Since July 21, 1988, this hospital has carried out 231 transplants of this type.
- So far this 2022, he has performed five heart transplants, one heart-kidney, five liver, 70 kidneys and 183 corneas.
34 years ago, the history of Medicine in Mexico and Latin America raised the name of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS). The reason is because at the La Raza National Medical Center the first heart transplant in Mexico to a patient who was 45 years old.
The director of General Hospital of La RazaDr. Guillermo Careaga Reyna, commented that From that July 21, 1988 to date, a total of 231 heart transplants have been performed.
He stressed that currently this High Specialty Medical Unit (UMAE) has the largest productivity in heart transplantation in the country, with the best results in addition to attending national emergencies. The number of transplants so far in 2022 is five hearts, one heart-kidney, five livers, 70 kidneys, and 183 corneas.
The story of the first heart transplant in Mexico
Dr. Guillermo Careaga recalled that on that day in July 1988, a multidisciplinary team participated in this procedure headed by Dr. Rubén Argüero Sánchez, who worked for 47 years at the Institute.
“I had to participate that day as an assistant and I had the opportunity to be in both procedures: taking the heart from the donor and during the transplant of the patient who received it. As a resident doctor, it was an experience that had an impact on my professional development. In the specialty, it was one of the things that marked part of what I do in my daily practice”.
He said that the heart transplant procedure has changed from the one performed 34 years ago, especially in the way of preserving the organ.
“This is important because they must be sure that even without receiving blood from the moment it is withdrawn from the donor to the transplant recipient, it can be several hours and they have to protect it so that it can function properly again.”
He added that the technique of the procedure has also changed. Before it was the anastomosis in the atria (aorta and pulmonary). Instead, it is currently done with the bicaval technique, which is to join the venae cavae (the left atrium, the pulmonary artery and the aorta). This allows the heart to function in a more anatomical way and with it the recovery of patients is faster.
He noted that a Organ transplantation is a very rewarding activity. There are patients who have no other option in life and giving them that second chance is a very important commitment.
“We have patients who have survived more than 10 years, one of them is a patient that we transplanted in the pediatric stage in 2013, and a few weeks ago he was hospitalized with us for his control biopsy. He is one of the best examples we would have to share, like him there are several who have returned to their active life and with a second chance”.