In the world of medical progress, finding new ways to transplant organs is a big challenge.
Recently, scientists tried using gene-edited pig organs to solve the problem of not having enough human organs for transplants.
It seemed like a hopeful solution, but for four people, it ended in sadness.
Their stories show us the highs and lows of medical advancements and how they can affect real lives.
1) David Bennett
57-year-old David Bennett became the first recipient of a gene-edited pig heart at the University of Maryland Medical Center in January.
Bennett remained bedridden and connected to a heart-lung bypass machine at the University of Maryland Medical Center from October 2021 until the transplant surgery took place.
Despite initial success, Bennett’s health deteriorated after two months, leading to his death in May 2022.
His decision to undergo the pioneering surgery, when traditional options were limited due to his medical history, aimed to pave the way for future patients in need of life-extending treatments.
2) Lisa Pisano
Lisa Pisano, 54, who underwent a groundbreaking gene-edited pig kidney transplant on April 12 at NYU Langone Health in New York, died nearly three months later.
Surgeons at NYU Langone Health reported a groundbreaking medical achievement with her kidney transplant following the installation of a mechanical heart pump on April 4.
She passed away in July 2024.
The transplant was intended to address her kidney and heart failures, with the kidney showing initial promise but complications arose due to heart medication issues.
3) Richard Slayman
Richard “Rick” Slayman, 62, made medical history as the first person to receive a genetically edited pig kidney transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital in March.
Suffering from Type 2 diabetes and hypertension, he opted for the experimental surgery under FDA’s compassionate use rules after his human kidney transplant failed.
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He survived for nearly two months post-surgery, his family highlighting his role in advancing xenotransplantation research and inspiring hope among transplant patients.
However, he died in May 2024.
4) Lawrence Faucette’s
Lawrence Faucette, 58, received a genetically-modified pig heart transplant at the University of Maryland Medical Center in September, marking another milestone in xenotransplantation.
His journey, cut short after six weeks due to heart complications, highlighted the challenges and potential of animal-to-human organ transplants.
Faucette’s legacy includes significant contributions to advancing medical knowledge in this evolving field.
Given me that four deaths have been recorded in the pig organs to human transplants, many have wondered how long these patients can stay alive.
Patients who receive organ transplants from pigs can live for varying lengths of time.
This depends on factors like how well the transplant works and the overall health of the person receiving it.
Researchers are still studying this area to understand more about how long these transplants can help patients.
However, inspite of the number of years they live, some still painfully die and this is due to several factors.
One main reason is that their bodies can sometimes reject the pig organ, which means their immune system attacks it.
Another reason could be infections or problems with the new organ that are hard to treat.
Since this type of transplant is still being researched, doctors are working to improve how well it works and how long patients can live with these new organs.
To avoid early death and ensure a longer lifespan, it is important
for patients who receive pig organ transplants to monitor their health closely through regular check-ups.
They should control their immune system with medications to prevent rejection, preventing infections with antibiotics and other treatments, encouraging a healthy lifestyle with diet and exercise, and providing ongoing support and follow-up care from medical teams.
