Pig Heart Transplant Patient Dies, Cause of Death Unknown—Xenotransplantation Not Yet Effective?

The man that received the pig heart transplant and its successful operation already passed away after two months of having the internal organ from the animal. The Xenotransplantation procedure was thought to be effective when it successfully operated, but now, the technology is under questioning, despite having no cause of deaths reported.

Pig Heart Transplant Recipient Dies After Two Months

The first pig-to-human transplant reported its success for the operations two months ago, and several researchers noted that there are many things to learn from this procedure for future applications. However, fast forward to the present, the patient, David Bennet Sr., 57, already died for unknown reasons after getting the pig heart.

According to The New York Times, the cause of death remains unknown, and authorities are completing an autopsy regarding this unfortunate incident that claimed the person's life. The University of Maryland Medical Center, where the operation took place, said that there are still no reports from the coroner regarding this incident.

Xenotransplantation: Is It Effective for Humans?

Xenotransplantation is the primary medical procedure for this feat, and it aims to answer the shortage of human organs for the public to use. However, after this untimely death, there are speculations regarding the procedure's efficacy to use for humans early at this stage.

It is important to note that there are still no causes of death seen in this incident, so the public cannot conclude that Xenotransplantation is the reason for this.

Human Transplants and Operations

Revivicor is the company that supplied the internal organ that was genetically modified to fit a person's needs, focusing on a heart from pigs that is applicable for the person. The company also announced their ventures to look into Xenotransplantation last year, having a bountiful supply of organs from animals that humans can use.

Several other companies tested this first on animals close to humans, and one example is the baboon that received a pig's heart and survived for 945 days before its untimely death. Of course, these types of operations are experimental, but they go under severe tests and monitoring before opening up a person and giving them a new organ.

Xenotransplantation is still a type of medical procedure that needs more studies and monitoring before it can be accepted to use for broad medical purposes. Moreover, it has doubts now, especially as it only gave a short time for the person to live their life with a new genetically-modified heart, especially for their longevity after the operation.

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Written by Isaiah Richard