Advancing Cardiac Xenotransplantation: Overcoming Challenges and Ethical Considerations for Clinical Integration

Xenotransplantation using porcine hearts addresses organ shortages but faces challenges before clinical use. Recent studies focus on genetic modifications to reduce rejection and coagulation issues, alongside organ preservation techniques. Immunosuppressive therapies and growth control strategies are explored to manage immune response and prevent excessive growth in nonhuman primates. Despite achieving 6-9 months survival in preclinical models, further research is needed for clinical trials. Ethical concerns, such as animal welfare and zoonotic disease risks, require careful consideration. This research explores cardiac xenotransplantation's feasibility and potential as an alternative to human allotransplantation.