In the autumn of 1954, not long after Pamela Schmidt's surgery, he lost six out of seven cross-circulation patients, including a 7-month-old baby.

FORBES: Brave heart

Lillehei solved that problem with cross-circulation, in which a donor, linked to the patient by plastic hose and a simple pump, acted as a living heart-lung machine.

FORBES: Brave heart

Cross-circulation saved Pamela Schmidt's life, but it too was risky.

FORBES: Brave Heart