Michael Drummond

Michael Drummond, who received two artificial hearts and a third from a human, has died of multiple organ failure at age 30, nearly five years after he became the youngest person ever to receive the Jarvik-7 artificial device. Drummond died Saturday night of complications that included a blood infection, kidney failure and lung problems brought on by a combination of a diseased gallbladder and obesity, said Dr. Jack G. Copeland of the University of Arizona's Medical Center.

Michael Drummond, who received two artificial hearts and a third from a human, has died of multiple organ failure at age 30, nearly five years after he became the youngest person ever to receive the Jarvik-7 artificial device. Drummond died Saturday night of complications that included a blood infection, kidney failure and lung problems brought on by a combination of a diseased gallbladder and obesity, said Dr. Jack G. Copeland of the University of Arizona's Medical Center.

The condition of heart transplant patient Michael Drummond was upgraded from critical to fair, and Tucson hospital officials said he was showing no sign of rejecting his new heart. Drummond's second heart was implanted Saturday as doctors removed the artificial heart that had kept him alive for 10 days. If he continues to improve, Drummond, 25, could be released from the hospital within three weeks, hospital spokeswoman Nina Trasoff said.

--It was an emotional meeting and, one might say, a heartening one. More than a year after he underwent transplant surgery, Michael Drummond traveled to Lindale, Tex., to meet the parents of the accident victim whose heart is now beating in his chest. Drummond, of Phoenix, was only 25 when he began suffering from cardiomyopathy, a progressive deterioration of the heart muscle.

--It was an emotional meeting and, one might say, a heartening one. More than a year after he underwent transplant surgery, Michael Drummond traveled to Lindale, Tex., to meet the parents of the accident victim whose heart is now beating in his chest. Drummond, of Phoenix, was only 25 when he began suffering from cardiomyopathy, a progressive deterioration of the heart muscle.

Heart patient Michael Drummond celebrated his 26th birthday on Friday, receiving cards and gifts from hospital staff members. Drummond, recovering from heart transplant surgery performed almost a month ago at the University of Arizona Medical Center, remained in serious but stable condition. He was kept alive for nine days on a Jarvik-7 artificial heart before a human heart became available.

The condition of heart transplant patient Michael Drummond was upgraded from critical to fair, and Tucson hospital officials said he was showing no sign of rejecting his new heart. Drummond's second heart was implanted Saturday as doctors removed the artificial heart that had kept him alive for 10 days. If he continues to improve, Drummond, 25, could be released from the hospital within three weeks, hospital spokeswoman Nina Trasoff said.