2007-09-12 01:00:56 · 21 answers · asked by falling_starz1193 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
Let's think about size -- a cow's heart is simply too large to be placed in the existing spot in a human. It is true that a baboon's heart was placed in a baby, but she survived just one day with the heart in place. It's not that the heart was not working, but rather that the tissues are simply too different.
Of course this was in 1984, before the highly-complex anti-rejection drugs of today. I have not found any information on if this has been considered in today's world.
As for a pig's heart -- they use valves from pigs to replace faulty human heart valves every single day. However, material from pigs in much shorter-lived than human material; after all, how long is a pig's life expectancy? The average life span is between 15-30 years, the mean being closer to 15.
Overall, the rejection and tissue differences are big enough issues to prevent whole-heart transplants. Researchers are much more interested in developing artificial organs or organ pieces, which hold much less chance of being rejected,and can last longer.
2007-09-12 01:26:22 · answer #1 · answered by emt_mmt 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Pigs Heart Transplant
2016-12-11 17:42:17 · answer #2 · answered by parenti 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2016-05-19 01:23:41 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been told my daughter will need a heart transplant (congestive cardiomyopathy). If a pig's heart will save her life, then I'm all for it. EDIT: Just read your original question, and thought I'd let you know I'm Christian, and I have no problem with pork. And thank you, Starlite. Appreciate the concern and well-wishes very much. Christians, feel free to pray for my daughter, Andrea. It would mean a lot to me. She is stable right now, but the doctors are saying this is in her future. I'm believing for a miracle.
2016-05-17 21:10:35 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pig - maybe. Cow - no.
Genetically pigs are closer to human than cows. And I have heard of temporary transplants from them
2007-09-12 01:08:05 · answer #5 · answered by Barb Outhere 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. A baboon heart was used for a transplant in a baby about 25 years ago, but the baby died after a few days. the tissue is not compatible to use animal hearts.
2007-09-12 01:04:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
They replace heart valves all the time with pig or cow valves. As far as transplanting the whole heart? I have not heard of it.
2007-09-13 16:34:45 · answer #7 · answered by ItRose 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, it is routine for cardiac surgeons to replace human heart valves with pig (porcine) or cow (bovine) valves. They work very well and are very similar to our own. They can last 10 years or more if taken care of properly.
2007-09-14 09:13:54 · answer #8 · answered by cnjard 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They have used a pigs heart in operations before yes, maybe just a part of one to help with a real heart but it has been used. Read article at link below.
A cows heart no that has not been done before.
2007-09-12 01:05:04 · answer #9 · answered by Jason 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Of course. This way ,when men act like pigs ,they'll at least have an excuse. He has a pig's heart,remember?
2007-09-12 01:14:22 · answer #10 · answered by misanthrop 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋