US: David Bennett, first person to receive pig heart transplant dies after 2 months

very first person to receive a heart transplant from a pig has passed away just two months after procedure, according to University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). David Bennett Sr., of Maryland, died at of 57 on March 8 at UMMC. Furr, doctors did t specify reason for death, however, stated that his health condition h been deteriorating for many days. During his last hours, he was able to talk with his family, as per a statement from UMMC. 

After being deemed unfit for a standard heart transplant, David underwent revolutionary procedure, first of its – in January. For almost two months, he was kept alive by heart of a genetically engineered pig.  

Bartley P. Griffith, MD, who surgically implanted pig heart into patient, expressed his sympathies to his family and said, “We are devastated by loss of Mr. Bennett. He proved to be a brave and ble patient who fought all way to end,” as per a statement from UMMC.  

Before  pig heart transplant, David was bedridden

statement furr revealed that David Bennett initially went to UMMC in October 2021, bedridden and reliant on a heart-lung bypass system kwn as 'extracorporeal membrane oxygenation' (ECMO) to stay alive. Since tritional heart transplant was ruled out for him, he opted for pig heart transplant. Bennett was fully tified of treatment's hazards prior to consenting to have transplant, as well as fact that technique was experimental with uncertain risks and benefits.  

United States Food and Drug ministration gave emergency approval for procedure on December 31 in hopes of preserving his life.  pig heart transplanted heart worked mirably for several weeks after surgery, showing symptoms of rejection. 

'We are grateful for every invative moment': David's son

Bennett's son, David Bennett Jr., expressed gratitude to hospital for doing everything it could. As per statement, Bennett Jr said, “We are grateful for every invative moment, every crazy dream, every sleepless night that went into this historic effort.” He went on to say that y also hope that lessons learnt from his far's surgery can help future patients and, possibly, one day, put a stop to organ scarcity that claims so many lives every year. 

In dition to this, Muhamm M. Mohiuddin, MD, Professor of Surgery and Scientific Director of Cardiac Xetransplantation Program at UMSOM, said, “We have gained invaluable insights learning that genetically modified pig heart can function well within human body while immune system is equately suppressed,” as per statement. Mohiuddin also asserted that y remain positive and want to continue ir research in clinical trials in future. 

Meanwhile, for many people in US, January transplant generated optimism that similar surgery, kwn as xetransplantations, may help vast number of people in need of fresh organs. As per Associated Press, over 106,000 Americans are on national organ dor waiting list. Every year in US, thousands of people die before receiving one. 

(Im: AP)