A groundbreaking medical milestone was achieved at NYU Langone Health with the completion of the first transplant surgery combining a mechanical heart pump and a gene-edited pig kidney. Lisa Pisano, a 54-year-old from New Jersey, became the recipient of this innovative procedure due to her heart failure and end-stage kidney disease, which necessitated routine dialysis. The surgery, conducted at NYU Langone, marked a significant advancement in addressing the critical shortage of donor organs in the United States.
Pisano’s case underscores the pressing need for viable organ alternatives, given that 17 people in the US die daily while awaiting organ transplants. Kidneys, in particular, face acute scarcity, with a stark contrast between transplant numbers and the extensive waiting list. The utilization of xenotransplants, involving animal organs like pig kidneys, offers a promising solution to this crisis. Gene editing techniques are employed to modify pig organs, making them less likely to be rejected by the human body.
This transformative procedure not only signifies a breakthrough in medical science but also raises hopes for countless individuals awaiting life-saving organ transplants. Pisano’s successful surgery represents a beacon of hope for future patients, highlighting the potential of combining mechanical and bioengineered solutions to address complex medical conditions and improve quality of life.