Chile mourns dramatic death of transplant patient

Santiago Times


Photo: Trinidad Gelfenstein died from multiple organ failure after a heart-lung transplant. Photo courtesy of Fuerza Trinidad Gelfenstein/Facebook.

Girl who had been rushed to top of the transplant list dies after surgery.

A teenage girl who had been declared a national priority for transplant surgery died Friday in a Santiago hospital after her body rejected donor organs. Trinidad Gelfenstein, 17, underwent a rare heart-lung transplant on Wednesday and showed early signs of recovery before her condition rapidly deteriorated in the 48 hours following the procedure.

“Trinidad Gelfenstein died in the ICU, accompanied by her family at all times and having the maximum medical care for complex pathology,” Clínica Las Condes said in a a statement on Friday afternoon.” Clínica Las Condes thanks all those who took part in one way or another so that she be offered all the possible therapies. In turn, Trinidad’s family appreciates the continued support and concern of those who were in some way with them.”

Gelfenstein, affectionately referred to as Trinidad or “Trini,” received a nationwide outpouring of support. “Prayer chains” were formed across social networking sites as millions hoped for Trinidad’s survival.

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