My patient told me, “If I don’t make it, play Mozart at my funeral” | Books | Entertainment
Inspired: Magdi knew at the age of six that he wanted to save lives (Image: Yacoub family archive.)Forty years ago today legendary surgeon Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub carried out the UK’s first heart and lung transplant, saving the life of Swedish journalist Lars Ljungberg who had approached the surgeon – already famed for his heart transplants – as his last hope.Experts in the United States had refused to operate as they felt Mr Ljungberg’s organs had deteriorated too far. And although, sadly, he died 13 days later of an underlying condition, the pioneering operation itself was a success and paved the way for thousands of life-saving transplants to follow.“Mr Ljungberg was a wonderful man, very determined and intelligent, who came to Harefield Hospital and said, ‘It’s my last chance, wh...