A Maryland man has become the first human to receive a heart transplant from a pig.
David Bennett, a Maryland handyman, was out of options when he agreed to the experimental surgery. The 57-year-old was in need of a heart but was not eligible for a transplant. He was dying and knew that this was his last chance at a longer life.
“It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live. I know it’s a shot in the dark, but it’s my last choice,” Bennett stated a day prior to the monumental surgery.
On Friday, Bennett underwent the nine-hour surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Directed by lead surgeon Bartley Griffith, the heart is from a 1-year-old, 240-pound pig that has been gene-edited and explicitly bred for implant experimentation.
Monday marks three days that Bennett has been breathing on his own without a ventilator, though he continues to be assisted by an ECMO machine that helps to pump the blood throughout his body. Doctors will gradually wean his body off of the device.
Bennett has been bedridden for months before the surgery but says he is looking forward to leaving the bed when he recovers.
Though animal to human organ transplants has been researched for years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration only granted emergency authorization for the surgery on New Year’s Eve through its compassionate use provision. This provision is used for patients facing life-threatening medical emergencies who may benefit from experimental medical products.
“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. Griffith.
It’s unclear how long Bennett will have to remain in the hospital.
