Second patient in the world to receive pig heart transplant

The University of Maryland Medical Center has successfully performed a pig heart transplant into a living recipient, making the patient the second person in the world to receive a pig heart transplant.

The surgery took place on September 20, by the same surgical team that performed the first pig heart transplant in 2022. This time, the recipient, Lawrence Faucette, 58, is breathing on his own with a heart that is functioning well without any support equipment.

According to a press release from the hospital, Faucette suffered from end-stage heart disease that made him ineligible for a traditional heart transplant. "My only hope left was a pig heart, also known as a xenotransplant," he said.

The procedure has been given the green light under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) humanitarian program, which the agency says is a potential way for patients with serious illnesses to access medical products during research and treatment outside of clinical trials.

The pig heart used came from a genetically modified pig. Scientists edited 10 genes, including three that were disabled to remove alpha gal from pig blood cells. Alpha gal can cause severe reactions in the human immune system, leading to transplant rejection.

Faucette was also treated with antibodies to prevent rejection. In addition, the team closely monitored the patient for signs of abnormalities or related viruses. Donor pigs were closely screened for signs of viruses or pathogens.

"We have once again given a critically ill patient the chance to live longer. We are extremely grateful to Mr Faucette for his courage and willingness to help advance knowledge in this area," said Dr Bartley Griffith, the lead surgeon on the operation.

The hospital said Faucette fully consented to the experimental treatment and had been informed of all the risks. He also underwent a full psychiatric evaluation and spoke with a medical ethicist.

Lawrence Faucette (left) and his wife (right) at the University of Maryland Hospital before receiving a pig heart transplant. Photo: University of Maryland Medical Center — Lawrence Faucette (left) and his wife (right) at the University of Maryland Hospital before receiving a pig heart transplant. Photo: *University of Maryland Medical Center*

“We would love nothing more than to have more time together, to do simple things like sit on the porch and have coffee together,” said Ann Faucette, Mr. Faucette’s wife.

There are currently no clinical trials using pig organs for transplant into living humans. The first surgery was also performed by the University of Maryland Medical Center in January 2022. The patient, David Bennett, 57, died two months after the surgery.

Although there were no signs of rejection in the first weeks after surgery, an autopsy found he died of heart failure “due to a complex set of factors.” However, the Lancet study found evidence of a swine virus in the transplanted heart.

According to the federal government , there are more than 113,000 people on the organ transplant list, more than 3,300 of whom need heart transplants. The group Donate Life America says 17 people die every day while waiting for donated organs. Experts say xenotransplantation could be a potential option to address organ shortages in the future.

Thuc Linh (According to CNN )

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