Second Historic Heart Transplant from Pig to Human Successfully Performed by US Surgeons

Groundbreaking Second Pig-to-Human Heart Transplant Carried Out by US Surgeons.

Surgeons at the University of Maryland Medical Center in the United States performed a second successful transplant of a genetically engineered pig heart on a 58-year-old patient with end-stage cardiac disease, Lawrence Faucette.

On September 20, Faucette received the pig heart transplant.

The first historic surgery was done on David Bennett by University of Maryland Medicine physicians in January 2022.

According to the PUNCH, the two landmark surgeries were performed by the University of Maryland School of Medicine Faculty.

Because of his pre-existing peripheral vascular disease and difficulties with internal bleeding, this transplant was his only option.

According to a statement on the UMSOM website, Mr. Faucette is currently breathing independently, and his heart is functioning well without the need for supportive devices.

Dr. Bartley Griffith, the surgeon who performed the pig heart transplants on both patients at UMMC, expressed profound gratitude to Mr. Faucette for his bravery and willingness to contribute to advancing knowledge in this field.

Dr. Griffith also conveyed hope that Mr. Faucette would soon return home to spend more time with his wife and his loving family.

In response, Mr. Faucette shared, “My only real hope left is to go with the pig heart, the xenotransplant. Dr. Griffith, Dr. Mohiuddin, and their entire staff have been incredible, but nobody knows from this point forward. At least now I have hope, and I have a chance.”