Second Pig Heart Transplant

[wesleycrusher]

University of Maryland surgeons perform second pig heart transplant, trying to save a dying man

www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/public-health/university-of-maryland-surgeons-perform-second-pig-heart-transplant-trying-to-save-a-dying-man-SMR6BB4S4JH4BFUNKOCA3ZFNBE/?schk=&rchk=&utm_source=The+Baltimore+Banner&utm_campaign=3ab44c17f7-NL_ALRT_20230922_1455&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-3ab44c17f7-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=3ab44c17f7&mc_eid=cf6def9023


University of Maryland Medical Center surgeons have transplanted a pig’s heart into a dying man in a bid to prolong his life — only the second patient to ever undergo such an experimental feat. Two days later, the man was cracking jokes and able to sit in a chair, doctors said Friday.


This is incredible to me, and I hope for great results for this man that can hopefully be replicated in all those who need heart transplants.  Sounds like they were able to learn so much from the first transplant last year that enabled the positive result in this one so far.

[maudefindlay]

That does sound promising. I was pretty young so details are fuzzy, but in the 80s there was a man in the town next to mine and he was the 2nd person ever to get an artificial heart. He lived maybe a year and a half and he was attached to what looked like a briefcase. I'm not sure he ever felt good with it, he kind of looked like he knew it wasn't going to work long-term and that his number was up.

[minzy]

Fascinating! Thanks for posting. Go UMD and fingers crossed for additional success for this patient!

[minzy]

The patient made it about six weeks. 😕
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna123104

[wanderingback]

Very interesting. He essentially gave his body for science knowing what the likely outcome will be. It’ll be interesting what they learn and see if there are other attempts or if this is futile at this time.

[Saudade]

Unfortunately it is SO hard to qualify for a transplant and very few available organs for those that do qualify. Rejection is high in allotransplant as is. This is a great step in determining an alternative to allotransplant. It will take time and many failures before "we" get it right and find the right method for xenotransplant.

[lilac05]

Nov 1, 2023 7:25:28 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Very interesting. He essentially gave his body for science knowing what the likely outcome will be. It’ll be interesting what they learn and see if there are other attempts or if this is futile at this time.

I had a similar thought. It seems both he and his wife knew he was on borrowed time. What a selfless gift to the medical community to agree to this experiment. I hope he had peace and his wife finds peace knowing that his life made a difference.

[Michelle]

Bless that patient.

My FIL just hit 20 years with his pig heart valve. It was only supposed to last for 10, maybe 15. Science is amazing.