VietNamNet Bridge – 59-year-old Nguyen Van Giac, the world’s oldest heart recipient at the time of his transplant, passed away from a stroke yesterday, Aug 13, Hanoi-based Viet Duc Hospital reported.

This file photo shows Nguyen Van Giac being re-examined at the Viet Duc Hospital

after his heart transplant in April 2011. (Photo: NLD)

Giac, who was from Le Chan District, Hai Phong City, received the heart at the hospital on April 12, 2011, when he was 58, doctors said.

Luong Ngoc Thuy, Giac’s wife, told the media that after receiving the heart from a donor who died from brain issues, Giac was in normal health.

He was even able to ride a motorbike from Hai Phong to the hospital for re-examination at doctors’ request on July 26, 2012, Thuy said, adding that the tests and ultrasounds showed no abnormal indicators.

Two days later, however, he suddenly suffered a stroke while sitting at home. He was taken to the hospital again but doctors could not save him despite their great efforts.

Before the heart transplant, Giac had suffered from a serious heart failure in 2009 and the condition led to many complications in his stomach, prostate, and kidney. In such a critical condition, he required a heart transplant.

In April 2011, Giac was among 21 patients waiting for a heart transplant, but he was chosen for the transplant as only he had the same blood group as the donor.

Three days after the transplant, Giac recovered with normal pulse and blood pressure, without needing the aid of any medical equipment.

As he was 58 years old when the transplant was performed, Giac had become the world’s oldest patient prescribed for a heart transplant, the hospital said.

Giac was among six patients who have undergone a heart transplant at the hospital. The other five are now living normally with their transplanted heart.

VietNamNet/Tuoi Tre