A pig-to-human heart transplant.

[SpankyMcFarland]

There are also mechanical devices that assist a failing heart, working beside it. One uses the maglev technology of the implant I mentioned above. A clinical trial will compare it to another device:

 

Quote

The first U.S. clinical trial is underway to test the safety and efficacy of the BrioVAD System — an alternative to the HeartMate 3 (HM3), which is currently the only durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) option available for advanced heart failure in the United States. BrioVAD has fully magnetically levitated pump technology and new features designed to reduce complications and potentially improve the patient experience.

https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/multicenter-trial-launched-to-evaluate-new-lvad-option-for-advanced-heart-failure

 

 

[herbie]

If the Ayatollah ever goes to the USA for heart surgery, it would be cool to implant a pig's heart valve, wait for him to recover and get back home and then announce the success of that procedure to the UN General Assembly.

muah hah hah.

[SpankyMcFarland]

There is some wiggle room for porcine transplants in both Islam and Judaism and I suspect many will use it if they become routine. 
 

https://divinity.uchicago.edu/news/laurie-zoloth-porcine-organ-transplants-new-york-times

.com/2025/09/16/health/pig-transplants-jews-muslims.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
 

 

Sent from my iPad

 

Edited September 22, 2025 by SpankyMcFarland

[SpankyMcFarland]

Here is another milestone in xenotransplantation. Tim Andrews has just survived six months with a pig kidney.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-02851-w

 

[paxamericana]

On 9/25/2025 at 11:52 PM, SpankyMcFarland said:

Here is another milestone in xenotransplantation. Tim Andrews has just survived six months with a pig kidney.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-02851-w

 

This article seems outdated. The method I learned about in med school involves stripping the cellular component of the cadaver organ leaving just the protein scaffolding. Stem cell from the patient is injected and grown into the organ making it theirs without the fear of rejection. 

[SpankyMcFarland]

On 9/29/2025 at 2:39 PM, paxamericana said:

This article seems outdated. The method I learned about in med school involves stripping the cellular component of the cadaver organ leaving just the protein scaffolding. Stem cell from the patient is injected and grown into the organ making it theirs without the fear of rejection. 

There woukd still be the prospect of rejection to the ‘scaffolding’. A different use for stem cells is emerging to repair the patient’s own organ with their own stem cells, leaving the sick organ in situ.

 

 

 

 

 

[SpankyMcFarland]

As I mentioned above this recent stem cell repair approach in Germany looks promising. One good aspect is that the patient’s own stem cells are used so there is no rejection to deal with and the ‘scaffolding’ is already there. 

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jan/29/scientists-develop-patch-repair-damage-heart-failure

 

 

 

Edited October 8, 2025 by SpankyMcFarland

[SpankyMcFarland]

I may start another thread on the more general issue of what can be done when organs fail. Broadly speaking there are several approaches:

1. Existing medical therapy.

2. Artificial devices that assist or replace organ function. There’s been a lot of progress here for hearts. 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/ventricular-assist-device/about/pac-20384529

3. Organ transplantation. A great option but supply is limited.

4. Xenotransplantation. We’ve a long way to go here with many problems along the way but the potential is enormous. 

4. Stem cell repair. Very promising as noted above. 
 

As people age their organs fail. Many of us will need repair or replacement to stay going.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 9, 2025 by SpankyMcFarland

[SpankyMcFarland]

In China, a pig liver transplant survived 38 days in a patient who went on to survive 171 days after the transplant with part of their own liver. Such transplants may be used to support people alongside their own organ.
 

Quote

 

On day 37, the man’s blood pressure plummeted and his heart rate increased, and he was in and out of consciousness. At that point, his own liver was considered capable of functioning enough to keep his body going, so doctors removed the pig organ on day 38. The man’s liver continued to function well afterward.

On day 135, the man developed upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and he died of this bleeding 171 days after the transplant procedure.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/09/health/pig-liver-transplant-china

Edited October 19, 2025 by SpankyMcFarland