Cardiac Xenotransplantation: Progress Toward the Clinic

Abstract

The median survival of 76 days in this group of heterotopic porcine-to-baboon cardiac xenografts represents a major advance over the median 27-day survival reported in the literature. Cellular rejection may not constitute a direct major barrier to xenotransplantation. A median survival of 90 days may be achievable with better control of BCMV infection. If further studies in the orthotopic position replicate these outcomes, criteria considered appropriate for clinical application of cardiac xenotransplantation would be approached.