Dying Navy Veteran Receives Pig Heart Transplant

Sep 25, 2023

Surgeons have successfully transplanted a pig’s heart into a dying man – only the second patient to undergo such an experimental feat, the Associated Press (AP) reports. Two days after his surgery, the man was cracking jokes and able to sit in a chair, Maryland doctors told AP on Friday.

Lawrence Faucette, a 58-year-old Navy veteran from Frederick, Md., was facing near-certain death from heart failure. Unfortunately other health problems meant he wasn’t eligible for a traditional heart transplant, doctors at University of Maryland Medicine told AP.

Doctors said they were thrilled at Faucette’s early response to the pig organ, but pointed out that the next few weeks are critical.

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Video: Post-Weaning E. coli Control - Dr. Rodrigo Paiva

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Rodrigo Paiva, DVM and PhD candidate at Iowa State University, explains how post weaning colibacillosis has changed in recent years and why pathogenic Escherichia coli has become more important in swine production. He discusses virulence factors, diagnosis, whole genome sequencing, biosecurity, and practical strategies to reduce disease risk while improving herd health. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Pathogenic E. coli now behaves like a robust, well-equipped truck carrying multiple tools for post-weaning disease."

Meet the guest: Dr. Rodrigo Paiva / rodrigo-paiva-09364355 is a veterinarian and PhD candidate at Iowa State University specializing in swine health, veterinary epidemiology, and post weaning colibacillosis. After several years working in commercial swine production in Brazil, his research has focused on understanding pathogenic Escherichia coli and improving disease prevention in modern production systems. Listen to Dr. Rodrigo Paiva on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.