The first person to receive a pig heart transplant has died two months after the historic operation, the hospital that performed the surgery has announced.
David Bennett, 57, passed away on Tuesday afternoon, according to the statement by the University of Maryland Medical Center. The hospital didn't reveal the exact cause of death.
“We are devastated by the loss of Mr. Bennett. He proved to be a brave and noble patient who fought all the way to the end,” said Dr. Bartley P. Griffith, who performed the pioneer surgery.
Bennett, who had terminal heart disease, chose to do the Jan. 7 operation after being deemed ineligible for a human heart transplant. "I want to live. I know it’s a shot in the dark, but it’s my last choice," he said.
The hospital said the transplanted heart performed "very well" several weeks after surgery, with Bennett being able to spend time with his family and do physical therapy.
The procedure, which made headlines early this year, was deemed a medical breakthrough as it brought the scientific community one step closer into solving the long-standing shortage of organ donations.
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