Richard Slayman, 62, received a pig kidney transplant in the United States last March. Less than two months later, his family and the hospital which operated on him announced his death on Saturday May 11.
The first living patient to have been transplanted with a pig’s kidney died in the United States, almost two months after the operation, American media reported on Saturday May 11, citing the hospital and the deceased patient’s relatives.
The medical team who operated on him expressed their “deep sadness” after learning of the patient’s death and offered their condolences to his family, via a press release, reports ABC News. She specifies that she has not received any information indicating that her death would be linked to the transplant.
“Our family is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our beloved Rick, but is comforted to know that he inspired so many people,” said his loved ones, according to NBC Boston.
“Millions of people around the world have discovered Rick’s story. We felt – and still feel – comforted by the optimism he brought to patients desperately waiting for a transplant”, they assure .
“The enormous efforts (of the doctors) to carry out the xenotransplantation (transplantation of an organ from a donor whose biological species is different from that of the recipient editor’s note) gave our family seven additional weeks with Rick, and the memories created during this period will remain in our minds and our hearts”, they still salute.
He suffered from chronic kidney failure
Richard Slayman received the genetically modified kidney transplant last March at a hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. The operation lasted four hours and went well, according to the doctors.
They hoped that the graft would work for at least two years, but the patient ultimately did not survive until then.
Aged 62, the American suffered from chronic kidney failure. He had received a first kidney transplant in 2018, but this attempt failed and he had to resume his treatment via dialysis. Complications then arose. Doctors then suggested that he have a pig kidney transplant.
“Giving hope to thousands of people”
With this operation, doctors hoped to find an answer to the chronic shortage of organ donations, reducing the life expectancy of many patients.
Before Richard Slayman, kidneys from genetically modified pigs had already been transplanted, and worked, into brain-dead humans. Two living patients had also already received a heart transplant from a genetically modified pig. All subsequently died.
“I saw this as a way not only to help me, but also to give hope to thousands of people who need a transplant to survive,” the patient said, via a press release, after the operation.
More than 100,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant in the United States. The kidney is the most commonly required organ.