Man who got first pig heart transplant dies

The first person to receive a heart transplant from a genetically modified pig has died two months after the medical milestone, the hospital that carried out the surgery said.

The procedure raised hopes that advances in cross-species organ donation could one day solve the chronic shortage of human organs available for donation, and the team behind the operation say they remain optimistic about its future success.

David Bennett, 57, had received his transplant on January 7 and passed away on Wednesday, the University of Maryland Medical System said.

The transplanted heart had performed very well for several weeks without any signs of rejection, the hospital added.

Bennett spent time with family and wanted to go home to see his dog Lucky.