The man with the heart of a pig died a few months after the revolutionary operation

The University of Maryland Medical Center reported on March 9 that a 57-year-old Maryland man who received a genetically engineered pig heart in a first-of-its-kind transplant operation has died, reports CNN.

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According to the medical center, David Bennet died on March 8 after his condition began to deteriorate a few days ago. According to a press release, he received palliative care and was able to communicate with his family in his final hours.

“We are devastated by the loss of Mr Bennett. He proved to be a brave and noble patient who fought to the end. We extend our sincere condolences to his family,” said Dr. Bartley P. Griffith, the pig heart transplant surgeon. “Mr Bennett has become known to millions of people around the world for his courage and unwavering will to live.”

Bennett had terminal heart disease and received a transplant on January 7th. After reviewing his medical records, Bennett was deemed unfit for a conventional heart transplant or artificial heart valve. Pig's heart was the only option available, the medical center said at the time.

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Revivicor, a regenerative medicine company based in Virginia, provided the heart. Three genes that are responsible for the rejection of pig organs by the human immune system have been deleted from the donor pig, and one gene has been deleted to prevent overgrowth of pig heart tissue. The man was inserted six human genes responsible for immune susceptibility.

The medical center reported that the transplanted heart functioned well for several weeks without any signs of rejection.

“Bennett was able to spend time with his family and participate in physical therapy to help recuperate. He watched the Super Bowl with his physical therapist and often talked about wanting to go home to his dog Lucky,” the university said in a press release.

As Bennett said before the transplant, he knew it was a "blind shot."

“I had to either die or get this transplant. I want to live. I know it's a blind shot, but it's my last choice," Bennett said, according to a previous press release from the medical center.

There are not enough organs for transplant in the US. According to organdonor.gov currently over 106 people are on the national transplant list and 000 people die every day while waiting for an organ.

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Pig heart valves have been transplanted into humans for many years. In October, surgeons successfully tested transplanting a genetically engineered pig kidney into a brain-dead woman in New York City.

According to the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network, more than 2021 transplants were performed in 40, a record.

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