US man who got first pig heart transplant dies after 2 months

Patient David Bennett’s experimental procedure raised hopes for cross-species donation as an eventual solution for a chronic shortage of human organs

In the months after the medical milestone, Bennett was able to spend time with family, do physiotherapy and watch the Super Bowl

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Surgeon Bartley P. Griffith poses with patient David Bennett before a successful transplant of a genetically modified pig heart at the University of Maryland Medical Centre in Baltimore in January. Photo: University of Maryland School of Medicine via EPA-EFE

Published: 1:56am, 10 Mar 2022Updated: 2:22am, 10 Mar 2022

The first person to receive a heart transplant from a genetically modified pig has died two months after the medical milestone, the hospital that carried out the surgery said Wednesday.

The procedure raised hopes that advances in cross-species organ donation could one day solve the chronic shortage of human organs available for donation, and the team behind the operation say they are “optimistic” about its future success.

David Bennett, 57, had received his transplant on January 7 and died on March 8, the University of Maryland Medical System said in a statement.

“His condition began deteriorating several days ago. After it became clear that he would not recover, he was given compassionate palliative care. He was able to communicate with his family during his final hours,” the statement said.

Surgeons transplant a heart from a genetically modified pig to patient David Bennett in Baltimore, Maryland, in January. Photo: University of Maryland School of Medicine via AFP

Following surgery, the transplanted heart had performed very well for several weeks without any signs of rejection, the hospital added.