The combined effects of brain death and cardiac graft preservation on cardiopulmonary hemodynamics and function before and after subsequent heart transplantation.

Abstract

Brain death causes a significant loss of right and left ventricular function. These injuries are greater in the right ventricle and may contribute to early right ventricular failure after transplantation. Brain death and cardiac graft preservation have significantly additive deleterious effects on right ventricular function after transplantation.