Doctors have found that an ex-convict who received a pig’s heart in a world-first transplant died of heart failure, not rejection.
David Bennett, a 57-year-old man from Maryland, lasted for two full months with the animal organ following the procedure touted as a medical breakthrough earlier this year.
Doctors from Maryland Medical Center, where the surgery was performed, stated that there was “no evident cause” for his death on March 8.
However, an autopsy revealed that Bennett died of heart failure, which occurs when at least one side of the heart is unable to pump blood normally.
This may have been caused by a medicine he was receiving to prevent his body from rejecting the heart, or by a pig virus infection of the organ.
Doctors also reported seeing ‘no evidence that the patient’s body had rejected the heart, paving the way for future heart transplants using this technique.
They have deemed the operation a success.
It comes as health officials ponder approving controversial xenotransplantation clinical studies.
It is believed that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is drafting measures to facilitate the study of a larger number of patients.
Clinical trials permit the study of a greater number of patients, the production of rigorous data, and the stringent monitoring of patient safety.
Dr. Bartley Griffith, the surgeon in charge of Bennett’s procedure, stated, “Our autopsy findings did not reveal evidence of rejection.”
Instead, we observed a thickening, followed by stiffness, of the heart muscle, which resulted in diastolic heart failure.
This indicates that the heart muscle was unable to relax and fill the heart with blood as intended.
In the study, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the researchers suggested that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) may have caused the disease.
This was administered twice to the patient during the second month following his transplant to prevent his body from rejecting the organ. Inactive infection with a pig virus called porcine cytomegalovirus was also mentioned as a possible cause of death.
The patient survived for two months following the transplant, and he was able to see his family and sing along to “America the Beautiful” while watching the Super Bowl in February while undergoing therapy.
Before the surgery, he had been bedridden for eight weeks.
Griffith continued, “We were quite encouraged by his development.”
His heart was strong, almost too strong for his tiny frame, but his resolve to live was strong. He stated that he desired to return home to visit his dog, Lucky.
Dr. Muhammad Mohiuddin, who was also engaged in the operation, stated that they will “modify” the treatment now that the cause of death has been determined.
The primary concern for a heart transplant recipient, according to doctors, is organ rejection, which occurs when the immune system recognizes the organ as foreign and fights it.
Problems with hardening arteries, dysfunctional hearts, and drug adverse effects can potentially result in the procedure failing.
However, Bennett’s story is unique because, unlike previous patients, he received a pig heart instead of a human heart.
Approximately 110,000 Americans are on the waiting list for an organ transplant, and over 6,000 die each year before receiving one.
Doctors anticipate that xenotransplantation, in which animal organs are transplanted in place of human organs, may assist clear the waiting list.
Mr. Bennett had the nine-hour experimental surgery on January 2 in Baltimore.
Mr. Bennett was able to sit up in bed and watch the Super Bowl a few days following surgery, indicating that the operation was originally successful.
However, his condition worsened about 40 days later, and he died within two months.
Prior attempts at xenotransplantation have mainly failed due to the fast rejection of the animal organ by the patient’s body.
In Mr. Bennett’s case, however, surgeons utilized a gene-edited pig heart.
The animal had been genetically changed to eliminate pig genes that cause hyper-rapid rejection in humans.
The Food and Drug Administration authorized the spectacular Maryland experiment under emergency “compassionate use” regulations.
Bennett was ineligible for a human heart or pump due to his condition. In addition, he disregarded his doctors’ orders, missed appointments, and stopped taking the necessary medications.
It is unclear what medication he was instructed to take, although heart disease patients are frequently prescribed blood thinners or blood pressure-lowering medications such as beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors.
The ability to adhere to a treatment plan before and after surgery, as well as the presence of underlying diseases that could compromise the effectiveness of the procedure, are key considerations for doctors when selecting who should get a life-saving organ transplant.
He was declared ineligible for a human heart transplant, which necessitates the usage of immunosuppressive drugs, or the remaining choice, an implanted heart pump.
The sister of Mr. Shumaker stated that he did not ‘deserve’ the operation.
In 1988, Mr. Bennett was sentenced to ten years in jail for stabbing 22-year-old Edward Shumaker seven times in the back while playing pool.
The victim was paralyzed below the waist and passed away in 2007. Mr. Bennett is believed to have served only half of his sentence.
Approximately 110,000 Americans are currently on the organ transplant waiting list, and more than 6,000 die each year while on the list.
Doctors anticipate that xenotransplantation, which involves the use of animal organs, may assist to clear the waiting list.
The New England Journal of Medicine published the analysis.
