A Glasgow woman, who had her heart mended by surgeons with a pig and cow valve transplant, hopes she will have a healthy life after finding a human donor.
Robyn Cairney's fight began back in 2009 when she received the diagnosis of a congenital heart defect, reports the Daily Record.
She was just 18 when she underwent four hours of open heart surgery to replace the narrowing aortic valve with a pig’s.
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Five years following the op at Clydebank's Golden Jubilee Hospital, the substitute valve gradually started to fail. Robyn, originally from Ruchazie, was in need of another operation, however, this time the replacement came from a cow.
Last year another potential problem was uncovered during some scans. Doctors warned it was likely that the valve would need to be replaced.
Following the check-up Robyn began to feel more breathless than usual. At the end of May this year the 31-year-old and her partner, Simon, suffered a shock at home in Middlesbrough.
She said: “I remember sitting on the sofa chatting to friends when suddenly I collapsed and blacked out.”
Simon jumped into action and preformed CPR whilst friends immediately called an ambulance.
The emergency crew sped to the scene within five minutes and by then Robyn was conscious. She was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
Robyn said: “I can remember being in the ambulance with Simon and feeling confused and very distressed.
“I couldn’t quite believe what had happened. It all felt like a bad dream.
“After waiting in A&E for 16 hours, I was admitted to the cardiac monitoring ward.”
After spending a couple of days in hospital, doctors told her that the cow valve was no longer opening properly. The failing valve meant her blood pressure was very low, which explained her loss of consciousness.
Doctors told Robyn that due to the complexity of her condition, she needed to be transferred to a cardiac unit in Newcastle.
The 31-year-old said: “Nine days later, on the eighth of June this year, I was transferred in an ambulance to The Freeman Hospital where I had open-heart surgery to perform a complex procedure – called the Ross Procedure – which took 10 hours.”
Her sternum was broken by surgeons to gain access to the failed bovine valve. Her own pulmonary valve was moved into its place, then a donor heart valve from a stranger replaced the removed pulmonary valve.
“I’ve got two heart valves replaced now,” said Robyn. “One using one of mine, and another from a stranger, which I’m extremely grateful for.
“The pulmonary valve takes less pressure so it responds better with having a human donor valve.
“Whereas the aortic valve takes a lot of pressure so it responds better to using my own tissue.
“When I woke up after the operation, I was confused and sore. I had a big scar down my chest and lots of stitches.”
Robyn arrived home on June 15 and is now on the road to recovery.
She said: “I’m looking forward to 2023 and hoping for a much healthier and less stressful year ahead.
“I feel grateful to be here and for all the family and friends who have supported me through it all, visiting me in hospital and at home.”
Robyn completed her sports therapy at Teesside University after her second operation.
She then had a career as a further education studies teacher, specialising in human anatomy.
Despite her heart difficulties she took part in the Great North Run to raise money for the British Heart Foundation – first in 2019 and then in 2021.
The determined individual has now set her sights on next year's event, signing up for the half marathon.
She said: “I’m gradually getting back into running and am doing a running/walking combination to get my fitness up. I have already come a long way from where I was before the operation earlier this year, when I couldn’t walk even half a mile.”
Robyn added: “Doctors have said that the new valve should last approximately 15 years and will be strong enough for me to carry children if I want to start a family one day.
“I’m taking one step at a time but I’m forever grateful for the stranger who donated their heart valve to me.
“Thanks to them, I’ll hopefully be able to live a normal healthy life.
“I am now looking forward to celebrating Christmas with my partner and family.”
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