Groundbreaking Insights into Xenotransplantation: Dr. Bartley Griffith's Talk at Stanford's Third Bruce A. Reitz, MD, Visiting Professor Lecture

May 1, 2024

The Stanford Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery was honored to welcome Bartley P. Griffith, MD, a world-renowned cardiac surgeon and pioneer in xenotransplantation, as the Third Bruce A. Reitz, MD, Visiting Professor to speak at the Li Ka Shing Center for Learning and Knowledge on Stanford campus on March 26, 2024.

Dr. Griffith is the Thomas E. and Alice Marie Hales Distinguished Professor and Professor of Surgery with Tenure at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. In his talk, 'Getting to Clinical Xeno Heart Transplantation,' Dr. Griffith shared insights into his laboratory's extensive clinical and translational efforts that led to the first-of-its-kind organ transplant of a genetically modified pig heart in a human.

Dr. Griffith discussed some of his team's research in identifying genetic modifications in donor pigs and anti-rejection drugs, the work he and his team did in preparation for a future animal-to-human heart transplant, and the potential for addressing the organ shortage crisis.

On January 7, 2022, Dr. Griffith and his team performed the first successful transplant of a genetically modified pig heart into a patient at the University of Maryland Medical Center. This pivotal operation represented a significant step forward for the field of xenotransplantation. On September 20, 2023, Dr. Griffith and his team performed a second pig heart transplant.

Group photo at the 3rd Bruce A. Reitz, MD, Visiting Professor Lecture (Photo credit: AGS Photo Art)

Throughout this career, Dr. Griffith's clinical and investigational work has focused on helping patients with end-stage heart and lung disease. His work includes pioneering life-saving technologies and developing novel surgeries and immunosuppression drugs in heart and lung transplantation. To address the challenges of insufficient donor organs, Dr. Griffith has led in bioengineering developments in total artificial heart, ventricular assist devices, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and ambulatory ECMO.

Since 1986, he has been continuously funded as a principal investigator by the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Griffith's research endeavors have yielded transformative outcomes, including the development of the ambulatory artificial lung, a device now FDA-approved for clinical use, and the roll-out of the Breethe system designed for home use beginning in 2021.

In 2018, he was named Clinical Director for the University of Maryland's Program in Cardiac Xenotransplantation. Under his leadership, the program has made remarkable strides in the field, particularly in the transplantation of genetically engineered pig hearts into baboons. Following years of research and successful outcomes within the program, Dr. Griffith's work paved the way for the clinical implementation of cardiac xenotransplantation.

"Throughout his visit, the faculty and residents had a unique opportunity to learn from one of the leading pioneers in the field," said Brandon Guenthart, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, who attended the lecture. “Dr. Griffith's innovative work in xenotransplantation is transformative. His courage, true dedication to science, and desire to always put the patient first are inspiring."

More than 100 individuals attended the lecture, which is part of the Bruce A. Reitz, M.D. Visiting Professor Lecture series hosted by the department.