BREAKING: Genetically Modified Pig Heart Transplant Successful in Human Patient
One month after undergoing an experimental procedure to transplant the heart of a genetically modified pig, a patient with end-stage heart disease shows no signs of rejection, according to doctors. Lawrence Faucette, a 58-year-old who was ineligible for a traditional human heart transplant due to his pre-existing conditions, underwent the surgery in September. This marks only the second time the procedure has been performed in a human.
Dr. Bartley Griffith, director of the Cardiac and Lung Transplant Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, who performed the surgery, stated that Faucette’s heart function is excellent. There have been no signs of infections or rejection thus far. Dr. Muhammad Mohiuddin, director of UMMC’s Cardiac Xenotransplantation Program, revealed that they are gradually withdrawing the drugs that were supporting Faucette’s heart, as it is now functioning on its own.
The focus of Faucette’s recovery is currently on regaining his strength through physical therapy. He is undergoing various exercises, including cycling, to improve his leg strength. Although he is not yet standing on his own, Faucette is able to get out of bed with minimal assistance. Doctors believe that they are at a pivotal point in his recovery and are now planning for the next stage.
Faucette, a married father of two and a 20-year Navy veteran, expressed his hope for more time together with his family. His wife, Ann Faucette, said, “That could be as simple as sitting on the front porch and having coffee together.”
The xenotransplant surgery was authorized under the US Food and Drug Administration’s “compassionate use” program. The pig heart used in the procedure came from a genetically modified pig with specific gene modifications to prevent organ rejection and increase acceptance by the immune system. Faucette also received experimental antibody treatment to suppress his immune system and prevent rejection. He continues to be monitored for any signs of rejection or pig-related viruses.
It is important to note that Faucette was fully informed of the risks and underwent thorough evaluations before consenting to the experimental treatment. The doctors responsible for the surgery, Mohiuddin and Griffith, are renowned experts in the field of cardiac xenotransplantation and had previously performed the first experimental surgery in January 2022 on another patient, David Bennett, who unfortunately passed away two months later.
According to the federal government, there are currently over 113,000 people on the organ transplant list, with more than 3,300 individuals waiting for a heart transplant. The success of the pig heart transplant procedure brings hope to many patients who may otherwise have limited options for treatment.