The cause of heart failure announced, the first genetically modified pig heart transplant patient died two months after transplantation | Patient | Heart Failure
A new study published in the latest issue of The Lancet reveals the cause of death for the first genetically modified pig heart transplant patient. This surgery is the world's first successful transplantation of genetically modified pig hearts into human patients, marking an important milestone in medical science.
57 year old David Bennett received treatment at the University of Maryland Medical Center in the United States, which was his last glimmer of hope. Within nearly 7 weeks after the surgery, his heart function was normal and there were no obvious signs of acute rejection. But the sudden onset of heart failure resulted in his death two months after the transplant. The transplantation team has been conducting in-depth research on the causes and physiological processes that lead to heart failure, in order to improve the chances of future surgical success.
The team tested the limited available tissues of patients and listed the sequence of events leading to heart failure. Analysis confirms that there are likely several overlapping factors that contribute to Bennett's heart failure, including his poor pre transplant health, which severely impairs his immune function and prevents the use of effective xenograft rejection regimens. Patients are therefore more susceptible to organ rejection by antibodies produced by the immune system. Researchers have also discovered indirect evidence of rejection based on histology, immunohistochemistry staining, and single-cell RNA analysis.
The use of intravenous immunoglobulin IVIG may also lead to damage to myocardial cells; In addition, the team also investigated the presence of porcine cytomegalovirus in the pig heart. After the patient received antiviral treatment, this virus may be activated, leading to transplant dysfunction. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest that the virus has infected patients or spread to organs outside of the heart. The team has also developed an improved PCMV detection scheme that can more sensitively detect and exclude latent viruses in future xenotransplantation.
The transplantation team stated that this groundbreaking surgery, along with the first warrior Mr. Bennett, provides extremely valuable and important information for xenotransplantation. They will use newly designed immune cell testing methods to more accurately monitor patients in the days, weeks, and months after xenotransplantation, thereby saving more lives.
Bennett's son also praised the hospital for making a "last resort" to his father's health, and wrote in a statement released by the University of Maryland School of Medicine, "We hope this story can become the beginning of hope.".