Selected Grantee Publications

Early Results of an Infant Model of Orthotopic Cardiac Xenotransplantation

Mitchell et al., Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. 2025.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39778609

This study evaluated the potential of genetically engineered pig hearts for human pediatric heart failure patients, with 11 infantile pig heart transplants performed in size-matched infant baboons (Papio anubis) (sex not specified). All grafts supported normal cardiac functions post-operatively, and six animals survived beyond 3 months. While early cardiac function was not a limiting factor for survival, systemic inflammation led to pulmonary edema and pleural effusions, which impeded long-term outcomes. These findings highlight the feasibility of cardiac xenotransplantation in infants and underscore the need for targeted therapies to manage inflammation and improve survival. Supported by ORIP (P40OD024628) and NHLBI.