The patient with pig heart transplant is doing well one month after surgery
In a significant medical breakthrough, doctors have announced that a patient named Lawrence Faucette, 58, has undergone successful heart transplant surgery, which used a genetically modified pig heart. This procedure was performed as a last resort for Faucette, who had terminal heart disease and was not a candidate for a traditional human heart transplant.
Dr. Bartley Griffith, director of the Heart and Lung Transplant Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, led the pioneering surgery in September. He explained to CNN that the pig heart implanted in Faucette is functioning autonomously and has shown no signs of rejection so far.
Faucette, a resident of Frederick, Maryland, and a 20-year Navy veteran had recently worked as a laboratory technician at the National Institutes of Health. His medical condition left him with no viable options for a conventional human heart transplant, leading him to consider the experimental xenotransplantation procedure.
Dr. Muhammad Mohiuddin, director of the UMMC Heart Xenotransplant Program, shared an optimistic update on Friday: “We have phased out all medications that initially supported Faucette’s heart. “At this point, his heart is functioning independently, which is an encouraging milestone in his recovery.”
The role of physical therapy in post-operative recovery
The medical team’s current focus is helping Faucette regain the strength needed to carry out daily activities. Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in this process, and Faucette has undergone exercise sessions, including cycling, to strengthen her legs. Despite the challenges, Faucette displays a positive spirit and strives to make progress in her recovery.
When Faucette arrived at the hospital, he had no hope of ever being on his feet again. Although he has not yet achieved the ability to stand up on his own, the fact that he can get out of bed with minimal assistance is a turning point in his recovery process.
Griffith said it is critical to plan for Faucette’s next phase of recovery and determine his future whereabouts in terms of medical care.
Faucette is a married man with two children, and his story has captured the attention of many people who hope this medical breakthrough can offer new hope to heart disease patients who would otherwise have no options.
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The experimental xenotransplantation procedure received approval under the US Food and Drug Administration’s “compassionate use” program. According to the FDA, this program provides an avenue for patients with serious and life-threatening diseases to access investigational treatments when no satisfactory therapeutic alternatives are available.
The pig heart used in the procedure came from a genetically modified pig from Revivcor, a subsidiary of United Therapeutics Corporation. To increase compatibility with the human immune system, genetic modifications were made to the pig, inactivating genes that could trigger an adverse immune response. This is essential to avoid rejection of the transplanted organ.
The FDA first approved genetically modified pigs for therapeutic and consumer purposes in 2020. Despite this progress, there are currently no clinical trials using pig organs for transplantation into live humans.
In an additional effort to prevent rejection, doctors also administered an experimental antibody treatment to Faucette to suppress his immune system. Faucette will continue to be closely monitored for signs of rejection and possible complications related to the xenotransplantation.
The donor pig also underwent rigorous examination for any signs of viruses or pathogens that could pose a risk to the recipient.
