Blackout Costs Woman Chance at Liver Transplant iln New York City

A woman only minutes away from the start of a lifesaving liver transplant lost her chance -- at least for the moment -- when the worst blackout in North American history hit New York City.

The patient, who was in her 50s, was "about 20 yards from the operating room front door" at Mount Sinai Hospital, her surgeon, Dr. Sasan Roayaie, told the New York Times.

The woman was to have received a liver that had been retrieved from a cadaver donor in Buffalo. But after several hours, with no indication how long the power outage would last, the New York doctors found another potential recipient in Pittsburgh and hastily arranged to get the liver there before the window during which it would remain useable expired.

A 53-year-old man subsequently received the organ at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

The Times said the would-be recipient in New York was disappointed, but was a "good sport." She moves back to a position near the top of the liver waiting list.

Other Sources: New York Times