Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2011; 136(51/52): 2679-2683
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1292861
Weihnachtsheft | Commentary
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Der Beitrag Christian Barnards zur Geschichte der Transplantationsmedizin

The contribution of Christian Barnard to the history of transplantation medicine
H. H. Schäfer
1   Chris Barnard Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Cape Town, Südafrika
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 December 2011 (online)

Zusammenfassung

Christian Barnard führte am 3. Dezember 1967 die erste orthotope Herztransplantation am Groote Schuur in Kapstadt, Südafrika durch. Barnard konkurrierte dabei mit den amerikanischen Herzchirurgen Adam Kantrowitz, Norman Shumway und Richard Lower, welche die experimentellen Grundlagen für den Eingriff legten. Der Empfänger, Loius Washkansky, überlebte 18 Tage. Barnards Leistung ist als Pioniertat in die Medizingeschichte eingegangen und wurde unterstützt durch die gute interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit am Groote Schuur, die finanzielle Stabilität und dem hohen wissenschaftlichen Stand der südafrikanischen Medizin in den 60igern. Kontrovers diskutiert werden die anfänglich unselektive Patientenauswahl, die fehlenden gesetzlichen Bestimmungen zur Organentnahme in Südafrika und die unzureichenden therapeutischen Möglichkeiten der Verhinderung der Transplantatabstossung. Auch noch 2011 unterhält die Klinik ein Transplantationsprogramm und betreibt international renommierte Forschung auf dem Gebiet der Biomechanik und invivo tissue engineering.

Abstract

On December 3 rd, 1967, Christian Barnard conducted the first orthotopic heart transplant at Groote Schuur hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. Barnard competed with the American heart surgeons Norman Shumway, Adam Kantrowitz and Richard Lower, who laid the experimental foundations for the operation in the previous years. The patient, Loius Washkansky, survived 18 days. Today, Barnard is revered as a pioneer in the history of medicine. However, his achievement is discussed controversially due to the unselective choice of patients, the lack of legal provision for the removal of organs in South Africa, and the absence of therapeutic options for prevention of transplant rejection. Barnard's success was supported by a well established interdisciplinary cooperation within different departments at Groote Schuur. The financial stability and the high standard of science in South Africa in the 1960 s contributed to this surgical victory. In 2011, the Department maintains a transplant program and conducts international renowned research in the field of biomechanics and in vivo tissue engineering.

 
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