Initial Australian Experience With the XVIVO Non-Ischaemic Hypothermic Perfusion Device for Heart Preservation

Abstract

Due to the current demand for donor hearts, the limits of acceptable organs are increasingly being pushed. Previous literature has shown that prolonged ischaemic time in transport remains a key limitation, with excess morbidity such as early primary graft dysfunction requiring veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) (rates of up to 30% have been reported). This study highlighted outcomes from the first 10 patients who received a donor heart retrieved on the XVIVO hypothermic perfusion organ care device at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney.