Every second counts
Subtitle: the race to transplant the first human heart
By: Donald McRae
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Published: 2006
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 356
ISBN-13: 9780399153419
Subjects: Heart; Heart Transplantation; Transplantation; Heart surgeons; History; Transplant surgeons; Biography; History, 20th Century
Description: The true story of four men locked in a race to transplant the first human heart--a tale of surgical daring, unyielding ambition, and scientific adventure. Many remember the beaming face of South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard after he performed the first human heart transplant and captured the world's imagination. It was a stunning achievement, but he was not alone. In truth it was a four-way race, a fierce struggle fraught with passionate rivalry. The other three surgeons--Adrian Kantrowitz, Norman Shumway, and Richard Lower--were giants in the field, and by early December 1967 they and Barnard were each poised to snatch the victor's laurels. Each had spent years perfecting techniques; each had monitored his chosen patient's condition, watching the clock, hoping a donor would be found in time. Some of these men were friends; others were enemies, but only one of them would be the first.--From publisher description.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [305]-342) and index.