An American who received a pig heart transplant has died. “He wanted to spend more time with his family”

On October 31, a hospital in Maryland () issued a report informing about the death of one of its patients. It was 58-year-old Lawrence Faucette, who suffered from an incurable heart disease. The man was the second person in the world to undergo a transplant of an organ taken from a pig.

USA. A pig heart transplant provided additional weeks of life for a sick 58-year-old man

Navy veteran Lawrence Faucette presented to the University of Maryland Medical Center on September 14 with heart failure. Shortly before the operation, the heartbeat stopped and the man required resuscitation. they decided that the patient was not eligible for a traditional heart transplant due to advanced diseases. A day later, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the surgery in the hope that it would prolong the 58-year-old’s life.

In a hospital statement, the man’s wife noted that her husband made the decision based on complete trust in the staff. The patient knew he didn’t have much time left and wanted to use his last chance to do something for others. “He never imagined he would survive this long or contribute so much data to the xenograft program,” the woman said, adding that Lawrence Faucette constantly said he appreciated the staff’s efforts.

Doctors told about the patient’s last wish before death. “He said he loved us”

Initially, the heart functioned normally, and in the first month, doctors found no signs of rejection. Lawrence Faucette underwent physical therapy to regain his mobility and spent time with his family. However, in recent days the first signs of organ rejection have appeared. “He thought not only about how this trip helped advance the xenograft program, but also about how it affected his family. An example was his last night, when he lay in bed, contemplating the end and worried about his sister and whether she was already asleep ” – said my wife. Despite doctors’ attempts, the man died on October 30.

“We mourn the loss of Mr. Faucette, an extraordinary patient, scientist, Navy veteran and family man who simply wanted to spend a little more time with his loving family, wife and sons,” said Dr. Bartley P. Griffith, who surgically transplanted the patient’s pig heart. at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). – Faucette’s final wish was that we make the most of what we have learned from our experience so that others may have a chance at a new heart when a human organ is unavailable. He then told the team of doctors and nurses gathered around him that he loved us. We will miss him greatly, the doctor said.