MARYLAND: Lawrence Faucette, a 58-year-old Maryland man, became the second person to receive a transplanted pig heart in a groundbreaking surgery conducted on September 20. Unfortunately, nearly six weeks after the historic procedure, Faucette has passed away, his medical team at the University of Maryland Medical Center confirmed.
Faucette, who was suffering from heart failure and deemed ineligible for a traditional heart transplant, received a genetically modified pig heart as part of an experimental xenotransplantation procedure. The transplanted heart initially seemed to function well, but signs of rejection emerged in recent days, leading to Faucette’s demise on Monday.
Faucette’s wife, Ann, expressed that her husband saw this experimental surgery as his final opportunity to contribute back to the medical field. She revealed that Faucette understood his time was limited and did not anticipate surviving as long as he did after the procedure.
First Pig Heart Transplant
This surgery followed the world’s first heart transplant from a genetically modified pig, performed on David Bennett the previous year. Bennett survived for two months before the transplanted heart failed, revealing the challenges in xenotransplants. Scientists and medical professionals have been exploring genetically modified pigs as potential donors due to their organs’ increased compatibility with humans.
Dr. Bartley Griffith, the lead surgeon for the transplant, emphasized Faucette’s last wish—to utilize the knowledge gained from these experimental procedures. The rejection challenges faced in this case underscore the complexities in xenotransplantation and the need for further research and advancements in the field.
