Rapid Recovery of Donor Hearts for Transplantation after Circulatory Death

Abstract

We report a method for the recovery of hearts for transplantation from deceased donors after circulatory death that obviates the need for thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion or ex situ perfusion systems. After death, the aorta is clamped and a flush circuit is established to perform a controlled, extended, ultraoxygenated flush of the donor heart at a mean aortic-root pressure of 80 mm Hg. In the first three reported cases in which this method was used, the hearts were transplanted successfully with normal biventricular function, no evidence of acute cellular or antibody-mediated rejection, and excellent early postoperative outcomes. No adverse events were reported during the perioperative period. By avoiding the limitations of ex situ perfusion platforms as well as the controversial aspects of thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion, this method of heart recovery offers the possibility of broad application.