I wish to be well informed about the state of organ transplantation. If you don't share my interest STOP READING NOW.
You have been warned.
Last Chance!
arstechnica.com/science/202...
On a much more pleasant note..
Anybody know how the guy who got the pig kidney is doing?
I had read this on twitter. How sad a Dr would do this. I feel sorry for the people needing a transplant who were denied and for those who now have to wait longer until the hospital resumes transplants.
Thankfully, the hospital took action pretty fast. I wonder if UNOS detected the issue behind the scene and alerted them.
The gentleman with the pig kidney seems to be doing well. He's been out of the hospital for several days now and I've not heard of anything negative happening to him so far. Massachusetts General Hospital, were the transplant took place, is applying for the compassionate use exception, which would allow xenotransplantation to be offered to more patients. They're probably going to be a leader in that area. I think we'll see more happening there over the next months since they also have a $1B budget and a lab with CRISPR genome editing capabilities. Some transplant centers truly have more resources than others. I'm in favor of all kidney advances that can improve patients lives whether mechanical or biological in nature. There are needs everywhere.
I've been trying to figue out WHY anyone would even want to do that. What could he possible gain? The place only does 3 kidney trnaplants in a year so why? My first guess is that he's actually not a competent trnasplant surgeon and he knows it and is trying to avoid doing them at all rather than risk botching it up and getting a malpractice lawsuit on his record
I wonder if it has to do with transplant statistics/record. If he has a great record maybe he is trying to only transplant patients that are expected to do well and not patients that are more risky. Obviously more oversight was needed from the hospital, because he should not have the power to be able to change records without anyone knowing.
Several years before my renal transplant (2 1/2 years ago), I has found in a search a promising work being done by Stanford I believe an artificial kidney. They were having issues with funding in their research..The only potential change that would need to be done surgically is change out a mesh that may need replaced. It could be done in out patient surgery setting. They were saying that anti rejection meds were not expected to be needed.
Also, learned about sibling to sibling transplant where if a perfect match would get a stem cell infusion prior into the transplant they also would not require antirejection meds. While getting labs done one day I met a guy who had had that done at the time he was about 2 years out and doing well.
I support all research involving kidney matters - artificial kidneys, stem cell therapy, and anything else. There's so much need for new ways to work with kidney failure. I would love to see the eradication of antirejection meds , too. It's sobering how the lack of funds often slows progress. I'm glad the man you met with the stem cell infusion is doing well! Good news gives all of us hope.
Yes! Hubby also wonders if the guy (and maybe the entire hospital) used the program to fundraise (note the giant billboard) and raise big sums of money while throwing patients overboard.
This is so sad, heartbreaking, and makes me perplexed on the WHY like everyone else. I doubt the WHY will ever be told. Now what does this do for the patient's that have had their transplant and go to that hospital for checkups? Did they just stop doing transplants for now tell they get to the bottom of this? Plus, his poor patients probably feel so betrayed by him. Thanks for sharing
FRUSTRATED ON INACTIVE LIST
Very cool fingertips and toes
Depression after Transplant 
Medication immediately post cadaver transplant 
