Baby Gets Heart Transplant, His Twin Still Waiting

After Five-Hour Surgery, He's In Critical Condition

February 17, 2006

(CBS) // Los Angeles // Nick Draper, who with his identical twin brother Nate has been awaiting a heart transplant since their birth seven months ago, received a donor heart Thursday during a five-hour surgery at Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA.

Nick is listed in critical condition in the intensive care unit. His new heart is being supported by a miniature heart-and-lung machine called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

"We deeply appreciate all of the good wishes we have received during the past seven months," Nicole and Michael Draper said, the twins' parents. "It's a comfort knowing that our children are in the prayers of so many people."

Nate remains on the waiting list for a donor organ at UCLA's Mattel Children's Hospital. His brother received a new heart first, because his name was added to the waiting list sooner. Medical complications prevented Nate from being listed until two weeks later.

Born July 11 in Phoenix AZ, Nick and Nate suffer from dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart muscle is too weak to pump efficiently. Doctors say the condition is very rare in newborns and extremely unusual in twin infants.

When their heart function rapidly declined after birth, the twins were transferred to UCLA's Mattel Children's Hospital for heart transplantation evaluation.

Due to the small pool of infant donors, finding a donor heart for an infant can be especially challenging. More than 89,000 Americans await an organ donation, with 3,100 Americans on the waiting list for a new heart.

Californians interested in becoming an organ donor may register online at: Donate Life California.

Copyright © 2006 CBS Broadcasting Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This article posted March 4, 2006.