Patient Who Received First Pig Heart Transplant Dies in the U.S.

David Bennett, at the age of 57, has died in the U.S., becoming the first person in history to receive a successful xenotransplantation of a pig heart in January 2022. This was reported by The New York Times.

The cause of death, which occurred just two months after the successful completion of the surgery, has not been disclosed as an autopsy has not yet taken place. Dr. Bartley Griffith, who led the surgery, expressed that he is “heartbroken” over Bennett's death, noting that he was a very brave man.

Bennett, who suffered from severe heart disease, agreed to experimental treatment after being denied a spot on the waitlist for a human heart transplant. It is noted that the man successfully underwent the surgery and thereafter went through physical therapy, spent time with his family, and watched the Super Bowl sports show. However, in the days leading up to his death, the patient's condition began to deteriorate.