First Pig to Human Heart Transplantation: Is Xenotransplantation Era Coming?
The World First Porcine to Human Heart Transplantation
The world’s first porcine to the human heart transplantation was performed at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where a genetically modified pig heart was successfully transplanted into a 57-year-old man in the end-stage of heart disease. After highly experimental surgery, the patient could move freely in absence of cardiopulmonary bypass assistance. The historic operation overcomed the possible biggest obstacle caused by hyperacute immune rejection and achieved a good short-term result.
