PHILADELPHIA, PA (August 26, 2002) - Louis Samuels, M.D.,
Surgical Director of the Cardiac Transplant team at Drexel University College
of Medicine and Hahnemann University Hospital, sadly announced that Mr. James
Quinn, fifth AbioCor artificial heart patient, suffered a fatal stroke on
Friday, August 23rd. Despite efforts to improve his condition, he became unresponsive
that evening and was withdrawn from life support today. His artificial heart
was implanted almost ten months ago on November 5, 2001.
A special prayer was said by Reverend John Lewis on Saturday, August 24th,
as his wife Irene, immediate family, Dr. Samuels, nurse practitioner Elena
Holmes and patient advocate Sheldon Zink held hands around Mr. Quinn’s
bed. “It was an extremely sad moment,” remarked Dr. Samuels. “James
Quinn was a very special man. He was a courageous man. He became part of my
family and I will truly miss him.”
“Mr. Quinn was an inspiration to us all. His courage, and that of his
wife, Irene, and their family, was remarkable,” said Michael P. Halter,
chief executive officer at Hahnemann University Hospital. “His never-give-up
spirit and desire to help others will live on in the fight against heart disease.
Our utmost respect and deepest sympathies go out to Irene and the entire family.“
Dr. Samuels added, “In every aspect, James Quinn was a hero. He fulfilled
his wish to be a pioneer, to live a little longer to see his grandchildren,
and to contribute something to mankind. He was a loving husband, always wanting
his wife around. He was a devoted friend, remembering names and stories of
so many people. And he endeared the lives of all those he came in contact
with at the hospital. He will be remembered for his courage and bravery.”
Mr. Quinn’s death comes almost two months after celebrating his 52nd
birthday with friends and family at Hahnemann University Hospital. In the
months preceding his stroke, James was able to take several excursions from
the hospital with the aid of Holmes. He was able to attend church, be home
for his wedding anniversary, go to a comedy club, take trips to his house
and interact with his grandchildren, family and friends from his neighborhood.
“It was very nice to see James in his element,” remarked Dr.
Samuels. “I watched him joke with his friends, fuss with his cat and
be with his grandson. It was the happiest I’d seen him.”
“The entire clinical trial team at Drexel University College of Medicine
and Hahnemann University Hospital are honored to have known James and provided
him with additional months to spend with his grandchildren and family. Our
sympathy goes out to his family,” said Warren Ross, M.D., Dean of the
Drexel University College of Medicine.
The Quinn family is grateful for the continuing support of the community
and has asked for privacy during this time of sorrow.
Dr. Samuels and the clinical team will not be available for interviews at
this time.
Hahnemann University Hospital is a 618-bed teaching facility specializing
in cardiac and transplantation services, orthopedics, neurological services,
OB/GYN, medical, surgical and radiation oncology, bone marrow transplantation,
renal dialysis and kidney/pancreas transplantation. In 1986, Hahnemann became
Philadelphia’s first Level I Regional Resource Trauma Center for adults
and, since then, it has been served by University MedEvac, an aeromedical
transport program for critically ill patients. Today, Hahnemann’s cardiac
program ranges from routine outpatient studies to heart transplantation. It
also functions as a premier referral center for outlying hospitals. Hahnemann
University Hospital is affiliated with Drexel University College of Medicine
and is part of Tenet HealthSystem.
Drexel University College of Medicine, formerly MCP Hahnemann University,
is the largest private medical schools in the national. It includes the first
medical college for women in the U.S. and it is one of the largst centers
for spinal cord research in the Mid-Atlantic regions.
Based in Danvers, Massachusetts, ABIOMED, Inc. (pronounced “AB’-EE-O-MED”)
is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical products designed
to assist or replace the pumping function of the failing heart. The Company’s
AbioCor Implantable Replacement Heart is being implanted in patients as part
of an initial clinical trial conducted under an Investigational Device Exemption
from the United States Food and Drug Administration. The AbioCor has not been
approved for commercial distribution, and is not available for use or sale
outside of the initial clinical trial. ABIOMED currently manufactures and
sells the BVS, a heart assist device for the temporary support of all patients
with failing but potentially recoverable hearts.
