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Both Sides of the Stethoscope

Join Dr. Colby Salerno a cardiologist and Dr. Alin Gragossian an ICU doctor, both heart transplant recipients, as they discuss their unique view of medicine from both the perspective of physicians as well as the perspective as patients.

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Both Sides of the Stethoscope

From Pig to Patient: Xenotransplantation and the Search for More Donors

December 29, 2025 • Colby Salerno, Alin Gragossian • Episode 49

In this episode, Colby and Alin explore the rapidly evolving world of xenotransplantation and what it could mean for patients facing long transplant waitlists. From genetically modified pig organs to early clinical experiences, they discuss the science driving this field forward, the ethical and immunologic challenges that remain, and whether xenotransplantation may serve as a bridge—or an alternative—to traditional human organ donation. Drawing on real-world transplant experience, Colby and Alin examine how close we truly are to expanding the donor pool and what this breakthrough could mean for the future of transplant medicine.

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SCCM podcast on Xenotransplantation:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sccm-podcast/id76207297?i=1000738579823