A woman who underwent a groundbreaking pig kidney transplant, along with an implanted heart device, has tragically passed away, as announced by her surgeon. Lisa Pisano, who was battling kidney and heart failure, underwent the dual surgeries at NYU Langone Health in April. While initially showing signs of recovery, complications arose when the pig kidney was damaged by heart medications, leading to its removal and Pisano being placed back on dialysis.
Despite efforts to stabilize her condition with dialysis and a heart pump, Pisano eventually entered hospice care and passed away. The transplant surgeon, Dr. Robert Montgomery, commended Pisano for her courage in participating in the experimental xenotransplantation procedure, which aims to address the critical shortage of transplantable organs.
Pisano, who was the second patient to receive a kidney from a gene-edited pig, expressed her willingness to take the risk, acknowledging the potential benefits for others if the transplant was unsuccessful for her. The first recipient of a pig kidney, Richard “Rick” Slayman, also passed away after nearly two months, with his death attributed to preexisting heart disease.
The urgent need for transplant organs in the U.S. is underscored by the fact that over 100,000 individuals are on the waiting list, with kidney transplants being the most in demand. Efforts are underway to genetically modify pig organs to make them more compatible with the human immune system.
While recent attempts at pig organ transplants have faced challenges, including the transplantation of pig hearts into two individuals at the University of Maryland, medical professionals are optimistic about the insights gained from these endeavors. Clinical trials with less critically ill patients are being planned for the near future, building on the knowledge acquired from these pioneering procedures.
