57yo male receives first pig heart transplant
- Thread starter Morgan
- Start date
I learned just prior to open heart surgery for an ascending aortic aneurysm that there was another issue - the valve. Since it was located inside the area to be removed, my completely healthy valve would be cut out as well. I was offered a choice, either mechanical or bovine. Mind you, this was just prior to surgery. I was rather disappointed to hear this at this point in the game but it exactly how it went down. And I had asked every question in the book, this one somehow slipped by.
I said bovine and the surgeon explained that I may get 10 to 15 years and then have to have it replaced. So I quickly said mechanical to which he then explained I would be on blood thinners, etc. Ugh. I then said ok to a bovine valve.
I'm on the table and the surgeon says there is another option, a "Modified David Procedure" that would allow sewing my valve into the dacron implant they were attaching to my heart. He said he wasn't sure he could do it until he got in there but if I wanted him to do it he would. So it wasn't until I was awake after surgery that I learned he was able to do it.
The valve, much like the petal assembly of a flower, is now sewn 360* around and into the implant. It no longer has a blood supply, other than what gets splashed onto it. I just hope I can beat the bovine timeline with my own valve as there was no way in hell I am ever going through that surgery ever again.
I said bovine and the surgeon explained that I may get 10 to 15 years and then have to have it replaced. So I quickly said mechanical to which he then explained I would be on blood thinners, etc. Ugh. I then said ok to a bovine valve.
I'm on the table and the surgeon says there is another option, a "Modified David Procedure" that would allow sewing my valve into the dacron implant they were attaching to my heart. He said he wasn't sure he could do it until he got in there but if I wanted him to do it he would. So it wasn't until I was awake after surgery that I learned he was able to do it.
The valve, much like the petal assembly of a flower, is now sewn 360* around and into the implant. It no longer has a blood supply, other than what gets splashed onto it. I just hope I can beat the bovine timeline with my own valve as there was no way in hell I am ever going through that surgery ever again.
Last edited:
He should legally change his name to "Sizzlin' Bacon." I would.
Cant help but think of the Seinfeld "pigman" episode.
If pig hearts are now feasible, or will be soon, that means animal livers/kidneys/lungs are coming next!
Eat that burger, drink that booze and smoke that good stuff boys, we got replacement organs readily available in the next 10 years!
Eat that burger, drink that booze and smoke that good stuff boys, we got replacement organs readily available in the next 10 years!
I know it’s a joke and my dad says the same things but just ask Tob or anyone who has been thru such a major operation. Definitely not fun. Many times we don’t have a choice, but it’s best to keep the OEM equipment when possible
-J
Oh ya, besides the effects of surgery and recovery, I'm not stupid enough to think that a person's body would ever be the same after receiving an organ transplant. Organ transplant patients are probably on various meds forever, have to take it easy and still probably won't live as long as they would have had they not needed a transplant in the first place.
Definitely not insinuating you were but it’s a common thought, just replace and live on.
Longest surgery I’ve ever been in has been a liver transplant. We emptied the hospital blood bank and in following her in the ICU for a few weeks post I never knew a human could be those colors.
Ok back to snow day off. Been good so far. Succession the HBO series is good.
-J
Users who are viewing this thread
