SUBSCRIBE
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Health For Mzansi
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
  • Grow It
  • Recipes
  • Choices
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
  • Grow It
  • Recipes
  • Choices
No Result
View All Result
Health For Mzansi

No jokes! This man has a pig’s heart

by Noluthando Ngcakani
12th January 2022
in Trending
Reading Time: 7 mins read
A A
Surgeons holding the pig heart transplanted into David Bennett, an American handyman. Photo: University of Maryland

Surgeons holding the pig heart transplanted into David Bennett, an American handyman. Photo: University of Maryland

There are probably a few women who exclaimed, “I told you so.” But all jokes aside, a 57-year-old heart disease patient now gets a second chance at life as the first human recipient of a genetically modified pig heart.

“It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live,” David Bennet, an American handyman said in a statement issued by the Maryland University early this week.

Dr Bartley Griffith with David Bennett following his recent heart surgery. Photo: Supplied/University of Maryland
Dr Bartley Griffith with David Bennett following his recent heart surgery. Photo: Supplied/University of Maryland
Dr Muhammad Mohiuddin a leading expert on xenotransplants. Photo: University of Maryland

Bennett is a terminal heart patient from the state of Maryland in the United States of America. He said he knew there was no guarantee that the surgery would work, but said that he was dying and ineligible for a human heart.

Currently, 110 000 people like Bennett are awaiting organs for transplant in the United States alone.

“I know it’s a shot in the dark, but it’s my last choice,” said Bennett. “I look forward to getting out of bed after I recover.”

The historic *xenotransplant surgery was conducted by University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) faculty at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), together known as the University of Maryland Medicine.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency authorization for the surgery on New Year’s Eve through its expanded access (compassionate use) provision – a protocol only used when experimental medical products are the only option left for terminally patients.

Groundbreaking surgery

Bennett is currently being carefully monitored to determine whether the transplant has potentially lifesaving benefits, said Professor Muhammad Mohiuddin, director of surgery at the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine cardiac xenotransplant programme.

  • David Bennett at a 2014 carnival. Left to right: David Bennett Jr, David Bennett and Nicole (Bennett) McCray. Photo: David Bennett Jr.
  • David Bennett and family. Left to right in the back row: David Bennett Jr, David Bennett, Nicole (Bennett) McCray, Sawyer Bennett, Kristi Bennett. Left to right in the front row: Preston Bennett, Gillian Bennett. Photo: David Bennett Jr.

In a video statement he said, “We are excited to see this pig heart beating in his this human [chest]. This pig heart has performed so far very well even beyond our expectations. We have not seen any signs of rejections.”

Bennett had been deemed ineligible for conventional heart transplant at the UMMC and several other transplant centres in the country.

“This was a breakthrough surgery and brings us one step closer to solving the organ shortage crisis. There are simply not enough donor human hearts available to meet the long list of potential recipients,” said Dr Bartley Griffith.

Griffith is the transplant surgeon who conducted Bennett’s surgery. He is also a professor in transplant surgery at the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine.

“We are proceeding cautiously, but we are also optimistic that this first-in-the-world surgery will provide an important new option for patients in the future.”

Transplant surgeon, Dr Bartley Griffith

Mohiuddin added, “This is the culmination of years of highly complicated research to hone this technique in animals with survival times that have reached beyond nine months. The successful procedure provided valuable information to help the medical community improve this potentially life-saving method in future patients.”

Dr Griffith Bartley. Photo: University of Maryland

But are animal-human transplants a thing?

The concept of transplants have been the most challenging area of modern medicine, and xenotransplants are not an entirely new solution to the crisis of global organ shortages. “To achieve xenotransplantation and it is now personally gratifying to me to see this long-sought goal clearly in view. It is a spectacular achievement,” said transplant surgeon, Dr Bruce Jarrell.

Here is a brief history of the practice:

1667: French doctor Jean-Baptiste Denys tapped the veins of farm animals to perform human blood transfusions. His patient, a boy (15) survives surgery likely due to a small amount of sheep blood. The practice of xenotransfusion is abandoned as two patients of Denys die following other attempts.

1800: Skin xenografts become popular. Surgeons begin to use species including rabbits, dogs, and pigeons as donors. According to medical historians none of these experimental grafts ever became permanent.

1900: In the 1980’s xenotransplant surgery abandoned once more following the death of Stephanie Fae Beauclair, a terminally ill infant who became the first recipient of a baboon heart. It is believed that Beauclair died due to complications with her immune system in 1984.

  • Dr Muhammad Mohiuddin and team. Photo: University of Maryland
  • Pig heart before removal. Photo: University of Maryland
  • Dr’s hold the pig heart of David Bennett Sr. Photo: University of Maryland
  • Surgeons conduct David Bennett’s surgery. Photo: University of Maryland
  • Surgeons await to transplant heart to David Bennett. Photo: University of Maryland
  • Dr Bartley Griffith performs surgery. Photo: University of Maryland

A giant leap

Dr Albert Reece. Photo: University of Maryland

Xenotransplantation could potentially save thousands of lives, said Dr Albert Reece who is the dean at the school of medicine at the University of Maryland. He said, “We hope it will one day become a standard of care for patients in need of organ transplants.”

Organs from genetically modified pigs have been the focus of much of the research in xenotransplantation in part because of physiologic similarities between pigs, human, and primates.

Dr Bert O’Malley added, “I couldn’t be more proud to say the future is now. Our skilled team of UMMC and UMSOM physician-scientists will continue to advance and adapt medical discovery for patient care that could offer a lifeline for more patients in dire need.”

Bennett was repeatedly informed of the risks associated with the experimental surgery explained head anaesthetist, Dr Peter Rock.

“We carefully considered the unique needs of this patient in preparing him for surgery and the intricacies involved in modifying our anaesthetic techniques for this xenotransplant procedure. Our planning paid off, and the surgery could not have gone better thanks to the herculean efforts of the medical team involved in this landmark event.”

Dr Peter Rock, anesthesiologist

Dr Mohan Suntha said, “We appreciate the tremendous courage of this live recipient, who has made an extraordinary decision to participate in this ground-breaking procedure to not only potentially extend his own life, but also for the future benefit of others.”

ALSO READ: Cancer patients on waiting list demand treatment

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • WhatsApp
Tags: David BennetthealthHeart transplantmedical history
Noluthando Ngcakani

Noluthando Ngcakani

Related Articles

Trending

Proposed cuts to HIV funding is the last thing SA can afford

by Matshidiso Lencoasa and Mila Harding
8th December 2023
0

The department of health regards the reduced price of antiretroviral treatment as a way to contain costs, spelling disaster for HIV funding. It should rather see this as an opportunity to scale...

Read more
The evolution of ukuthwalwa kwentombi: Girls have a right to be happy

Ukuthwalwa kwentombi: Girls have the right to be happy

6th December 2023
How early exposure to violence can cripple kids later on

How early exposure to violence can cripple kids later on

5th December 2023
HIV/Aids/TB: Turbo charge your immune system with nutrition

HIV/Aids/TB: Turbo charge your immune system with nutrition

1st December 2023

Stories

Clinical psychologist Mojanaga champions self-care
Ukuthwalwa kwentombi: Girls have the right to be happy
Cutting through the complexities of circumcision in the EC
From baking to healing, bicarbonate of soda is all that and more!
Paramedic Adams relishes role as emergency go-to guy
Peeved protesters demand a new hospital in Gugulethu
Podcast: Take a step into the world of living with a disability
Mealie meal: Mmmm … More than just a much-loved staple
No Result
View All Result

Categories

  • Advertorial (3)
  • Choices (66)
  • Conversations (239)
  • Grow It (89)
  • Liewe Lulu (34)
  • My Health (190)
  • Nutrition (6)
  • Podcast (102)
  • Recipes (75)
  • Remedies (13)
  • Trending (436)

Recent

Proposed cuts to HIV funding is the last thing SA can afford

8th December 2023

Podcast: Don’t let the festivities derail your fitness routine

7th December 2023
The evolution of ukuthwalwa kwentombi: Girls have a right to be happy

Ukuthwalwa kwentombi: Girls have the right to be happy

6th December 2023
Health For Mzansi

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824

News: hello@healthformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy

Looking out for others is second nature to Kelebogile Mojanaga who used this gift to help shape her career. And for those considering clinical pyschology as a career, she advises: always put your own mental health first before taking care of other people.

Clinical psychologist Mojanaga champions self-care

The evolution of ukuthwalwa kwentombi: Girls have a right to be happy

Ukuthwalwa kwentombi: Girls have the right to be happy

Cutting through the complexities of circumcision in the EC

Cutting through the complexities of circumcision in the EC

Proposed cuts to HIV funding is the last thing SA can afford

Podcast: Don’t let the festivities derail your fitness routine

Ukuthwalwa kwentombi: Girls have the right to be happy

How early exposure to violence can cripple kids later on

Clinical psychologist Mojanaga champions self-care

HIV/Aids/TB: Turbo charge your immune system with nutrition

No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
  • Grow It
  • Recipes
  • Choices

© 2021 Health For Mzansi | Farmers For Change Pty (Ltd)

By continuing the use of our Website, you are explicitly and actively consenting to our processing of your personal information as per our Privacy Policy.
Cookie SettingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Clinical psychologist Mojanaga champions self-care Ukuthwalwa kwentombi: Girls have the right to be happy Cutting through the complexities of circumcision in the EC From baking to healing, bicarbonate of soda is all that and more! Paramedic Adams relishes role as emergency go-to guy Peeved protesters demand a new hospital in Gugulethu Podcast: Take a step into the world of living with a disability Mealie meal: Mmmm … More than just a much-loved staple