This week, the world’s second recipient of a pig heart transplant passed away, nearly six weeks post-surgery.
Suffering from terminal heart disease, 58-year-old Lawrence Faucette underwent a groundbreaking heart transplant from a genetically modified pig on September 20. Tragically, he passed away on October 30.
Bartley Griffith, the surgeon who led the transplant at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, commemorated Faucette, acknowledging his role as an exceptional patient, dedicated scientist, former Navy veteran, and loving family man. Faucette had hoped for more time with his wife, sons, and cherished family.
Before retirement, Faucette, a devoted father of two, served as a lab technician at the National Institutes of Health. Post-surgery, he was undergoing physical therapy to regain his mobility, fully aware of the limited time left in his life. His wife, Ann Faucette, affirmed his selflessness and determination to contribute to the advancement of medical science.
The transplant program’s scientific program director, Muhammad Mohiuddin, joined Griffith and Ann Faucette in extending their condolences. Mohiuddin pledged an extensive analysis to prevent potential complications in future transplants, citing their prior analysis following the first patient’s transplant, David Bennett Sr.
Xenotransplantation, the transfer of animal-to-human cells, tissues, and organs, serves as a pioneering medical frontier, aiming to resolve the persistent scarcity of human organs for transplantation. Both Faucette and the program’s earlier recipient, David Bennett, were ineligible for conventional human organ transplants due to their advanced heart conditions. Their surgeries involved hearts from genetically modified pigs, altered to enhance compatibility with the human body.
As the waitlist for organ transplants in the US continues to grow, with one new addition every ten minutes, the pressing need for innovative solutions remains paramount. Currently, kidneys top the list of the most sought-after organs, with 85% of patients awaiting a transplant.
