Donor Lungs Give The Gift of Life

A rare yet serious condition caused Hussena to become critically ill. A lung transplant was her only option, and thanks to the selfless act of a donor, she was given the greatest gift – life.

In 2008, Hussena noticed she wasn’t as physically active as normal. She experienced breathlessness and severe chest pain when breathing. She was suffering from something called pulmonary hypertension – a rare condition that affects the blood vessels around the heart. The condition puts pressure on the lungs, and over time, can cause the right side of the heart to fail.

Hussena’s condition then became critical. She was unable to walk and could not sleep at night without oxygen. She was admitted to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi where tests revealed her right ventricle was significantly enlarged, very weak and under enormous pressure. In cases like this, when medication can no longer offer relief, a lung transplant is the only option to restore the heart’s function. The Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Transplant Center team prepared Hussena for a lung transplant and thankfully, a donor was found quickly.

A lung transplant is an extremely high-risk, complex condition, particularly in patients with impaired heart and lung function like Hussena. The 10-hour surgery, which required Hussena to be supported by a heart-lung bypass machine, involved a multidisciplinary team comprising many experts and specialists.

Before long, Hussena began to recover, and the function of her major organs improved. She says she is overwhelmed with gratitude that a complete stranger has given her the gift of life.

Hussena’s donor also donated their liver, kidneys and many other organs, saving multiple lives through their selfless gift.