For the second time in history, surgeons have transplanted a pig’s heart into a living human at the University of Maryland Medical Center on September 20th. The same surgeons, who performed the first pig transplant operation a year ago, performed this one as well. A genetically modified pig heart was used which came from Rivicor, a subsidiary of the United Therapeutics Corporation.
Lawrence Faucette, 58-year-old Navy veteran had an end-stage heart disease along with other health issues that left him ineligible to receive a traditional/human heart transplant. Faucette said, “My only real hope left is to go with the pig heart, the xenotransplant.” As of right now, hospital officials said Faucette “is currently breathing on his own and his heart is functioning well without any assistance from supportive devices.” Faucette is also being treated with an experimental antibody treatment to further suppress the immune system and prevent rejection.
Faucette will be monitored strictly for any signs of rejection or any development of pig related viruses. Of course, the next few weeks will be critical, but doctors are pleased with his response so far to the pig organ.
By - FZ
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