Issue with Heart Transplant

[Willy]

The procedure of transplanting animal organs into humans, or xenotransplantation, became a reality in 1964 (before the first human-to-human heart transplant) with the first chimpanzee-to-human heart transplant. While this pioneering procedure was ultimately unsuccessful (the chimpanzee heart was not large enough to sustain the circulatory needs of the human patient) it promised a steady supply of organs -- if the right species could be found. Today, most xenotransplantation research focuses on pigs, since the size and output of an average-sized pig heart is very close to that of a human heart. Unfortunately, rejection is even more likely in cross-species transplants. And drugs that can keep a patient from rejecting a pig heart render that patient's body almost completely defenseless in the event of infection.

Artificial hearts have proven to be a good way for patients and doctors to buy time while waiting for suitable donor organs. There are more than two dozen different types of artificial hearts available, but none of these devices provides a permanent solution. One pump currently being tested on animals, however, has some potential to replace live organ transplants, according to researchers. This thumb-sized, battery-powered device is implanted directly inside the left ventricle, where it pumps up to 16 pints of blood per minute. Human trials with this device should begin by 2007.

Another technology that may someday prove to be a transplant surgeon's dream: an endless supply of organs and tissue matched to their recipient. It sounds like science fiction but, in theory at least, may one day be possible. The technique involves stem cells, those cells in embryos (and, to a lesser extent, adults) that have the potential to become any one of the 200 types of cells that make up the human body, including heart cells. Researchers are working now, with some success, on directing stem cells to develop into cardiac tissue. As yet, no one has successfully grown a human heart, but that day may not be as far off as it once seemed.

(Source: NOVA: "Electric Heart" Web site)

Anyone heard before that someone who is transplanted with a pig heart will 'oink' like a pig?

[leecarrot]

Hi Willy and everyone,

Saw today an article on New Scientist, and reminded me of your post about organ transplant:

"Pig embryos may provide better organs than fully developed pigs, suggest researchers.

To test the idea, the researchers gave two diabetic monkeys pancreases from pig embryos. The tiny organs made insulin, grew to the right size, and were infiltrated by monkey blood vessels.

Embryos have evolved to dodge attack from the maternal immune system, so embryonic organs might stand a better chance of surviving in their new host than adult ones, the team says. However, it is not yet clear whether they do in fact evade attack, because the monkeys were given immunosuppressant drugs."

Hope they will progress in their research, and perhaps one day they can find the best candidate...

[Willy]

seem like the pigs might become man 's best friend soon...

[leecarrot]

Hi Willy  ,

Haha, it's true..they are also cute and clever. Despite the Swine flu coming from pigs, humans actually benefit a lot from them;).