Diagnosed with heart failure for unknown reasons at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in October 2001, Reeves was bewildered.

"I never smoked or drank alcohol. I took care of myself and thought I was healthy until the shortness of breath, aches and fatigue set in. I was told that my heart was almost as large as a basketball. It was a shock to realize that I would need a donor heart to live. After being placed on the waiting list for a donor heart, I was desperate for information," she said.

Ms. Reeves attended a meeting Dec. 7 of heart transplant recipients, family members, and friends Dec. 7 at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). The gathering was the monthly meeting of the Organ Recipients Association.

"That's why support groups … are so important. I love it when I come to meetings and see people who had transplants nine or 10 years ago -- their success gives me hope." Ms. Reeves' heart transplant took place at UAMS April 5th. While waiting for a donor heart, Ms. Reeves met heart transplant recipient Kevin Holsapple of Bismarck, Ark., who gave her even more hope by telling her of his transplant experience and recovery efforts and advising her to stay strong. Mr. Holsapple's transplant took place at UAMS, October 4th, 2000.

At the Dec. 7 gathering, cardiologist Jacob Joseph, M.D., and cardiothoracic surgeon Tamim Antakli, M.D., of the UAMS College of Medicine briefed patients and guests on the latest medical advances involving heart transplant surgery and post-operative care. (Read more about organ transplants at UAMS.) 

"We at UAMS have a great commitment to fight end-stage heart disease, and this forum gives an opportunity … to spread the message about the enormous impact of organ transplantation in the lives of Arkansans, and do all we can to improve organ donation," Dr. Joseph said.

"Our medical experts can tell you everything about the procedures involved in organ transplants, but only someone who has experienced a transplant can tell you how it feels," UAMS Cardiothoracic Clinical Coordinator Ginny Hullihan, R.N, CCRN, told the patients.

Dr. Antakli encouraged the transplant recipients to keep help others.

The Organ Recipients Association is open to all transplant patients, their families and patients waiting for donor organs. (For information about the support group call Little Rock Chapter President, Ken Gilbert at 501-945-2485.

According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, becoming an organ donor is an easy, two-step process: "Share Your Life. Share Your Decision." Making the decision to be an organ donor is the first step. However, sharing your decision with family members is just as important. By informing them now, you will prevent any confusion or uncertainty about the matter at the time of your death. If you wish, you may also fill out an organ donor card to place in your wallet; to obtain the card, call 1-800-355-SHARE.

For more information about becoming an organ donor, contact the Arkansas Regional Organ and Tissue Recovery Agency (ARORA) at 501-907-9150.

Organ Transplants at UAMS

UAMS performs three types of organ transplants - heart, kidney and kidney/pancreas.

Heart Transplants: UAMS is one of only three health care facilities in Arkansas that perform heart transplants. Since its first heart transplant in 1992, UAMS has performed 40 of these operations. UAMS does an average of six to seven heart transplants each year.
The heart is a strong, muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body. When the organ is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's demands, heart failure develops. The primary conditions that cause heart failure are coronary artery disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure and valvular heart disease. In some cases, there is no known cause for heart failure.
As a progressive disorder, heart failure can become such a critical situation for some patients that heart transplantation is the only treatment that will save them. Unfortunately, the shortage of heart donors often means that some people die while waiting to receive a heart. Currently, 25 patients are waiting for heart transplants at one of the three facilities in Arkansas.
According to UAMS cardiologist Jacob Joseph, M.D., "Seeing a patient with severe heart failure who has to wait for a life-saving heart transplantation makes me think of survivors from the 70th floor of the World Trade Center on 9/11. As they were making their way down the stairs, they must have had tremendous expectation of a new lease on life if they could just reach the bottom floor. Similarly, patients waiting for transplantation have thoughts about life with the renewed vigor of a new heart. At the same time, though, these feelings of hope are mixed with the agonizing fear that they may not make it to the bottom of the stairs, that they may not get a heart in time."
In addition to Dr. Joseph, the Heart Transplant Program at UAMS consists of cardiothoracic surgeon Gareth Tobler, M.D., who serves as the program's surgical director; cardiologist Eugene Smith, M.D., who is the program's medical director; cardiothoracic surgeons Tamim Antakli, M.D., and Aytekin Ozdemir, M.D.; cardiac surgery transplant coordinator Ginny Hullihan, R.N., CCRN; cardiology transplant coordinator Carol Davison, R.N., B.S.N.; and Ann Butts, administrator for the program.

Kidney and Kidney/Pancreas Transplants: UAMS is the only health care facility in Arkansas that performs kidney and kidney/pancreas transplants. Since its first kidney transplant in 1964, UAMS has performed more than 1,110 of these operations. The first kidney/pancreas transplant at UAMS was in 1990; since then, the hospital has performed 84 of these surgeries. On the average, UAMS does 50 to 60 kidney and kidney/pancreas transplants annually. There are 160 to 170 patients currently waiting for kidney and kidney/pancreas transplants at UAMS.
The primary function of the kidneys is the removal of waste from the body through the production of urine. The kidneys also help regulate blood pressure, blood volume and the chemical composition of the blood. Certain medical conditions - including diabetes, high blood pressure, lupus and polycystic kidney disease - can lead to chronic kidney failure. For many chronic kidney failure patients, transplantation is the only treatment.
The pancreas produces two vital substances: insulin, which regulates the use of blood sugar throughout the body, and enzymes that are used for digestion. Causes of pancreas failure include diabetes, pancreatic cancer and bile duct cancer. Many people who develop pancreas failure also suffer from kidney failure; therefore, transplantation of both organs at the same time is common.
Kidney and kidney/pancreas transplants at UAMS are performed by transplant surgeon Gary Barone, M.D. Transplant coordinators are Sue Weeks, R.N., CNN, CCTC; Linda Smith, R.N.; and Anne Rigg, R.N.

Links on This Page

Treatment Program: http://www.uams.edu/today/060701/heart.htm
New Therapy: http://www.uams.edu/today/121800/heart.htm

© 2002 University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "UAMS," "UAMS Online," "UAMS Today," "UAMS Update," "uams.edu," and "Here’s to Your Health" are marks of UAMS.