Lawrence Faucette, the World's Second Pig Heart Transplant Recipient Dies
Lawrence Faucette, the world's second pig heart transplant recipient, died on Monday (30/10/2023), after six weeks of surgery. Faucette is the second person to receive a genetically modified pig heart transplant.
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| Lawrence Faucette and his wife, Ann. (Photo: University of Maryland Medical Center) |
The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), which performed the experimental procedure, said Faucette's body showed rejection in recent days until he died.
Lawrence Faucette's Heart Condition Can't Undergo Traditional Heart Transplant Procedure
"Mr. Faucette's last hope is that we can make the best use of what we have learned from this experience so that others can be guaranteed the opportunity to get a new heart if human organs are not available," said University of Maryland xenotransplant clinical director Dr. Bartley P Griffith, MD quoted from CNN, Wednesday (11/1/2023).
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Faucette was first admitted to UMMC on Sept. 14 after experiencing symptoms of heart failure. His condition at the time was so severe that he was unable to undergo a traditional heart transplant procedure.
"My only hope left is to use a pig heart through xenotransplantation," Faucette said at the time before he underwent the operation.
The pig heart transplant process was finally carried out on September 20 after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency authorization for the procedure. The hope is that experiments will be conducted to extend Faucette's life.
In the first weeks after surgery, doctors said Faucette made significant progress. Faucette also underwent physical therapy and spent a lot of time together going out.
One month after the operation, doctors said that the transplanted pig's heart could work well. The doctor has also had time to stop the drug to support heart function. This condition was supported by the absence of evidence of infection until the rejection at that time.
In mid-October, the hospital said Faucette was able to stand up and was working hard in physical therapy to restore muscle strength.
"We mourn the passing of Faucette, a patient, scientist, naval veteran, and head of a wonderful household who simply wanted to spend more time with his wife, son, and family," Dr Bartley said.