The world’s second pig heart transplant recipient died six weeks after having the organ implanted, the University of Maryland Medical Center announced Tuesday.
The patient, Lawrence Faucette, 58, a Navy veteran and retired National Institutes of Health laboratory technician, began showing signs that his body was rejecting the pig heart a few days before his death on Oct. 30. .
Before that, he was progressing well in physical therapy to regain his ability to walk and even had the energy to play cards with his wife, according to the medical center.
“No one knows as of right now. At least now I have hope and a chance,” Faucette said just before her surgery in September.
In the final weeks of his life, Faucette, of Frederick, Maryland, developed an incredibly special relationship with his surgical team. She was aware that her operation would have implications for important medical advances in the future, according to her surgeon, Dr. Bartley P. Griffith.
Lawrence Faucette, a historic pig heart recipient, died six weeks after his critical surgery. Inset: Faucette with his wife, Ann.
“Sir, Faucette’s last wish was that we make the most of what we have learned from our experience, so that others can be guaranteed the opportunity to have a new heart when a human organ is not available,” Griffith added.
“Then he told the team of doctors and nurses who gathered around him that he loved us. “We will miss him very much.”
Faucette was first admitted to UMMC on Sept. 14 during the final stages of heart failure and needed resuscitation at the time.
Faucette’s surgery was a life or death measure, as his heart was failing.via REUTERS
The next day, the FDA granted approval for xenotransplantation surgery as a last resort, as other health problems prevented Faucette from performing a traditional human transplant.
“He knew his time with us was short and this was his last chance to collaborate with others. He never imagined he would survive this long or provide so much data to the xenotransplantation program,” said Lawrence’s wife, Ann Faucette.
“He was a man who was always thinking about others, especially me and his two children.”
The surgery removed some porcine genes from the heart and added human genes.AP
The heart given to Faucette had been modified to remove certain porcine genes while adding human genes in an attempt to help prevent rejection.
Last year, UMCC completed the world’s first pig heart transplant to David Bennett Sr, 57, who survived for two months with the organ before he became infected with a swine virus.
Bennett’s family had also shown support for the Faucettes, Ann said.
Faucette is shown with his wife, Ann, after his surgery. She hoped the procedure would lead to future medical advances for others.AP
“As with the first patient, David Bennett, Sr., we intend to conduct a comprehensive analysis to identify preventable factors in future transplants; This will allow us to continue moving forward and educate our colleagues in the field about our experience,” added surgeon Muhammad Mohiuddin.
“We cannot express enough gratitude to Mr. Faucette and his family for allowing us to continue making significant progress toward making xenotransplantation a reality.”
Recently, NYU Langone Health successfully transferred a pig kidney to a brain-dead patient using a similar gene editing process. In September, the organ successfully passed the two-month threshold before recipient Maurice Miller died 61 days after the operation.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn