First Woman Gets Heart Pump and Modified Pig Kidney Transplant

Lisa Pisano, a New Jersey resident, has become the second person to receive a kidney transplant from a genetically modified pig, a groundbreaking procedure aimed at addressing the shortage of human organs available for transplant. The operation, performed at NYU Langone Health in New York City, involved two major surgeries. First, doctors implanted a mechanical heart pump to assist her failing heart, and subsequently transplanted a genetically engineered pig kidney, which had been modified to eliminate a sugar molecule known to trigger organ rejection in humans. The pig's thymus gland was also transplanted with the kidney in an attempt to further support the acceptance of the new organ by Pisano's immune system.

The procedure was carried out with emergency approval from the Food and Drug Administration and is part of ongoing research efforts to make animal-to-human transplantation (xenotransplantation) a viable option for patients who may not qualify for traditional transplants. Pisano is currently recovering, and her progress is being closely monitored. The success of such experimental surgeries is not yet fully determined, and the medical community remains cautiously optimistic.

While this case represents a significant step forward in the field of transplantation, it also raises ethical concerns regarding the potential risks of using animal organs, including the transmission of animal viruses to humans and the implications of experimental treatments on vulnerable patients. Researchers hope that this procedure will provide valuable insights that can lead to improved outcomes for future transplants and contribute to the development of new strategies for patients with combined heart and kidney failure. However, experts emphasize the need for rigorous study to understand the long-term prognosis for patients receiving such transplants.