Xenotransplantation Pig Heart: The University of Maryland Medical Center achieved a successful pig heart transplant with modified genes in a human. This is a significant healthcare improvement. Organ donation improved significantly with the September 20, 2023 surgery.
Lawrence Faucette, 58, had surgery for heart disease. He had peripheral vascular disease and internal bleeding, worsening his condition and blocking a heart donation. Faucette visited UM Medical Center on September 14 for heart failure.
The FDA allowed xenotransplantation in the US through “compassionate use.” People with life-threatening diseases can access experimental medicines outside clinical trials.
Revivcor, a United Therapeutics Corp. subsidiary, altered pig genes. This pig’s genes are altered. For instance, three genes that produce alpha gal sugar, found in pig blood cells and causing an immune response and potential organ rejection, were deactivated. Six human genes were added to the pig’s genome for better compatibility with the human defense system. According to the FDA, gene-edited pigs may be used in medicine and consumed by 2020.
Faucette is receiving an antibody treatment to reduce the immune system and organ rejection risk. This is done for surgical success. People will monitor for signs of pig aversion or virus transmission. , the pig was thoroughly checked for viruses or diseases before being given away.
Dr. Griffith praised Faucette’s bravery in undergoing this treatment. It was done with his consent after evaluation and consultation.
Lawrence Faucette’s story is tragic. Faucette is married with 2 kids. He served in the Navy for 20 years. Before leaving, he worked at NIH. Ann Faucette, his wife, desired more quality time and appreciation for life’s simple joys.
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No clinical tests use live people receiving pig parts. New health methods are being tested. David Bennett was the first to receive this treatment at UMD Medical Center in Jan 2022. He passed away 2 months post-surgery due to health issues.
In Bennett’s case, no rejection signs appeared in the early weeks post-transplant. An autopsy revealed heart failure caused by factors, including using a heart-lung bypass machine before transplant. A new pig virus was found in a Lancet study.
This occurs when demand for transplants exceeds organ supply. The US government reports 113,000 people await organ transplants, 3,000 needing a heart transplant. Every day, 17 people die waiting for an organ donor. It’s a shame.
Xenotransplantation gives hope to people like Lawrence Faucette. But they also highlight the challenges and risks of pursuing innovative medical endeavors. Doctors pushing organ donation limits a successful pig heart transplant into a human for the second time, a big step in medical science, gives hope to those needing organ donations.
Our Reader’s Queries
Has anyone survived a pig heart transplant?
In a groundbreaking medical achievement, the Maryland team successfully conducted the world’s first transplant of a genetically modified pig heart into a dying man. Unfortunately, the recipient, David Bennett, only survived for two months before the heart failed. Although the exact cause of the failure is unclear, traces of a pig virus were later discovered within the organ. This remarkable feat has opened up new possibilities for organ transplantation and could potentially save countless lives in the future.
Did a Navy vet receive a pig heart transplant?
Lawrence Faucette, a Navy veteran, was on the brink of death when he became the second person globally to undergo a pig heart transplant. This groundbreaking procedure gave him a new lease on life and a chance to continue his journey.
Is pig heart as good as human heart?
While pig hearts share many similarities with human hearts, there are some subtle differences in their anatomy. Our research has shown that the great vessels in pigs, such as the ascending aorta and main pulmonary artery, have a proportionally smaller diameter compared to those in humans. Despite these differences, pig hearts remain a valuable resource for studying and developing treatments for human heart conditions.
Did Maryland surgeons successfully transplant pig hearts into 58 year old man?
In a groundbreaking medical procedure, doctors successfully transplanted a pig’s heart into a terminally ill patient, Lawrence Faucette. The 58-year-old Navy veteran from Frederick is only the second person to undergo this experimental surgery. Within two days of the transplant, Faucette was already showing signs of improvement, cracking jokes and able to sit up in a chair. This remarkable feat was achieved by a team of skilled Maryland doctors, who are paving the way for new advancements in medical science.