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Tuesday, 30 April, 2002, 19:15 GMT 20:15 UK
Heart girl survives 'critical period'
Abbey Cape is in a "stable but critical" condition
Doctors who carried out a life-saving heart transplant on nine-year-old Abbey Cape say they are "optimistic" about her recovery.
Abbey, from Leicestershire, had the operation at Great Ormond Street Hospital after going to the top of every waiting list in Europe. She had been on a life-support machine since 13 April after being diagnosed with an infection of the heart muscles. The severe cardiomyopathy caused her heart to swell, which prevented blood flowing normally.
On Tuesday, doctors who performed the operation said they were "optimistic" and "very pleased with her progress". Gordon Cohen, the consultant cardiothoracic surgeon who performed the transplant, said: "Clearly the first 48 hours are the critical period of time. "She has gone through these and we are hopeful she will continue to progress in a similar fashion. Intricate operation "As the heart continues to gain its strength back, she will gain her strength back as well. "We anticipate recovery over the next days and weeks." Mr Cohen said the intricate four-hour operation was "very straightforward" and without complications. Abbey is in the transplant suite in the intensive care unit of the hospital, where her condition has been described as "stable but critical". In a statement, Abbey's mother said: "We feel optimistic Abbey will pull through even though we realise that we have a long way to go. "We are so grateful for all the public support we have had and urge people to sign up for donor cards."
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