WASHINGTON. A Maryland man, who became the second person to receive a pig heart transplant, has sadly passed away nearly six weeks after the groundbreaking surgery, as confirmed by his medical team in Maryland.
Lawrence Faucette, aged 58, was suffering from heart failure and was deemed ineligible for a traditional heart transplant when he received a genetically modified pig heart on September 20. According to the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the pig heart initially appeared to function well for the first month, but it began to exhibit signs of rejection in recent days, ultimately leading to Faucette’s passing on Monday.
Ann Faucette, Lawrence’s wife, shared in a hospital statement that her husband knew his time was limited and viewed this experimental procedure as his last chance to make a difference. He exceeded his own expectations by surviving as long as he did.
This was the second attempt at a pig heart transplant by the Maryland team. The first was performed on David Bennett, who survived for two months before the transplanted heart failed due to unclear reasons, though signs of a pig virus were later detected within the organ. Lessons learned from the first experiment, including improved virus testing, informed the second attempt.
Dr. Bartley Griffith, the surgeon who led the transplant at the University of Maryland Medical Center, revealed that Faucette’s final wish was for the medical community to make the most of the knowledge gained from these experiences.
For decades, efforts to conduct animal-to-human organ transplants, known as xenotransplants, have largely failed due to the human immune system’s immediate rejection of foreign tissue. Researchers are now exploring new avenues, genetically modifying pigs to make their organs more similar to human organs.
Faucette, a Navy veteran and father of two from Frederick, Maryland, had been declined for a traditional heart transplant due to additional health issues. He arrived at the Maryland hospital with limited options and a desire to spend more time with his family.
In mid-October, it was reported that Faucette had made progress, even standing with the assistance of physical therapy. He aimed to regain the strength required for walking.
Dr. Muhammad Mohiuddin, the head of cardiac xenotransplants, stated that the medical team would conduct a thorough analysis of the pig heart transplant to further their understanding of using pig organs in human patients.
Xenotransplants hold potential to alleviate the severe shortage of human organ donations, with over 100,000 people in the United States awaiting transplants, particularly kidneys, while thousands lose their lives during the wait. Several research teams have experimented with pig organs in monkeys and donated human bodies in hopes of gathering sufficient data for formal xenotransplant studies to gain approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
