Experimental use of pig liver to filter blood externally offers hope for patients

Surgeons at University of Pennsylvania attached modified organ from pig to brain-dead human bodySurgeons externally attached a pig liver to a brain-dead human body and watched it successfully filter blood, a step toward eventually trying the technique in patients with liver failure.The University of Pennsylvania announced the novel experiment on Thursday, a different spin on animal-to-human organ transplants. In this case, the pig liver was used outside the donated body, not inside – a way to create a “bridge” to support failing livers by doing the organ’s blood-cleansing work externally, much like dialysis for failing kidneys.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Medical research Science US news Source Type: news