FOX Health

Boys Heart Being Held Together With Pig & Cow Tissue

Matthew Blackwell’s heart is being held together by the tissues of a pig and a cow.

In the three years Matthew has been alive, he has been through two open heart surgeries, one of them the Norwood/Rastelli procedure, which has only been performed a few times in the world; it is being reported by stuff.co.nz.

Soon after his birth, Matthew’s parents were told he had a congenital heart defect, but doctors wanted to try the risky, eight-hour surgery. (Continue)

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2 Responses to “Boys Heart Being Held Together With Pig & Cow Tissue”

Comment by Larry

Nice story.. I am myself a survivor of open heart surgery, I am a 54 year old male and had my heart patched using the heart tissue from a pig… back in 1958 when I was 4 years old.. So how come this is being touted as a new procedure. Check it out at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven CT. I’d like to make contact with this little boy just to give him encouragement so he knows that everything and anything is possible for him.. I have done very well, participating in sports and unlimited activities all of my adult life.. And still doing verywell. Wishing Matthew the best..
Larry..

 
Comment by Britt

I’m very thankful the boy is alive, but is that procedure safe? Mixing animal and human tissue? I hope it is, obviously it worked for Larry! I’m glad you pulled through as well.

 

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