Donor Hearts Research Articles

Donor Characteristics and Outcomes of Pediatric Heart Transplantation in South Korea.

Heart transplantation is often limited by the availability of transplantable donor heart and understanding of donor aspects that would influence transplant outcomes becomes important. In this study, donor characteristics and their impact on the outcomes of pediatric heart transplantations performed in South Korea were investigated. We reviewed the medical records of patients less than 18 years old who received heart transplantation between 2002 and 2022 in three tertiary hospitals located in South Korea. A total of 139 cases were enrolled. One-year mortality was 10.4% and total mortality was 33.8%. Forty-nine recipients (35.3%) showed biopsy-proven rejections and 20 (14.4%) showed cardiac allograft vasculopathy during mean follow-up of 6.4 ± 4.9 years. Six recipients (4.5%) showed left ventricle ejection fraction of less than 55% post-transplantation. The mean age of the donors was 23.0 ± 15.4 years. The most common cause of death of the donors was unspecified illness (46.4%). Donors with a history of diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and alcohol consumption were 0%, 3.1%, 32.1%, and 34.4%, respectively. Mean total ischemic time was 191.6 ± 72.7 min, while total ischemic time was over 4 h in 37 patients (26.6%). There were no significant relationship between donor factors and survival. However, donor's history of drinking or cardiopulmonary resuscitation was significantly associated with acute rejection and donor's age with cardiac allograft vasculopathy. Donor factors did not show significant impact on post-transplant survival but some factors were predictive of post-transplant rejection and cardiac allograft vasculopathy.

Prognostic outcome of ACS in HTX patients after PCI

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, particularly in countries with limited access to healthcare [1,2]. Acute coronary syndrome is a collective term for several clinical conditions resulting from narrowing or occlusion of the coronary arteries [3,4]. Another group of patients affected by cardiovascular disease are those who have undergone heart transplantation. Long-term survival after transplantation is limited by cardiac allograft vasculopathy, a condition that affects the coronary arteries of the donor heart and causes diffuse narrowing [5,6]. Our retrospective analysis aims to compare the prognostic outcomes of HTX patients with ACS who underwent PCI with patients without a history of HTX. Results A total of 3194 patients with ACS were enrolled, of whom 1.16% (37) had a previous heart transplant. Patients with prior transplantation were on average younger (52.54 ± 15.13 vs. 69.76 ± 12.16, p < 0.001), had less dyspnea (p < 0.001) and a different distribution of ACS types (p < 0.001), as shown in Figure 1. There were no differences in sex (p = 0.287), BMI (p = 0.123), hypertension (p = 0.557), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.188) and previous myocardial infarction (p = 0.681). The majority of HTX patients were diagnosed with ISHLT CAV III (58.54%) and the average time to PCI was 12 years after transplantation. Multi-vessel disease was more common in HTX patients (p < 0.001). In addition, calcification was less frequent in the HTX group than in the control group (p < 0.001), and the lesion morphology was more diffuse in the HTX group (p < 0.001). On the other hand, there was no difference in the distribution of target vessels (p = 0.424), with the left anterior descending being the most frequently treated coronary artery, followed by the left circumflex and right coronary arteries. HTX patients received more stents (p < 0.001). There was also a difference in post-procedural TIMI flow achieved (p = 0.047), with less TIMI 3 flow achieved after PCI in the HTX group (80% vs. 93.59%). Technical success was less likely to be achieved in the HTX group (62.50% vs. 96.29%, p < 0.001), as was procedural success (47.06% vs. 89.68%, p < 0.001). There was no difference in the incidence of complications, which include perforation and bleeding (p = 0.284). All-cause mortality at three years (39.02% vs. 17.50%, p < 0.001), stroke (7.32% vs. 1.59%, p = 0.035) and myocardial infarction (p = 0.026) were higher in the HTX group. Over a period of three years, MACCE was more likely to occur in the HTX sub-group, which is shown graphically in Figure 2. Conclusion Interventional treatment of ACS in HTX patients is an option with a complication rate comparable to non-HTX patients and with a lower technical and procedural success - partly due to the diffuse nature of CAV and the involvement of distal and microvascular vessels. Overall MACCE and survival are inferior to the control population.Figure 1Figure 2

Long-term outcomes of heart re-transplantation from HCV-viremic donors based on UNOS registry

Abstract Background The use of hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremic donors increased the heart donor pool, and reduced waitlist time and mortality among first-time single-organ heart transplant (HT) candidates without compromising their post-transplant survival. The outcomes of heart re-transplantation (re-HT) with the use of HCV-viremic donor grafts have not been investigated. Methods Using the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) Registry we analyzed all adult patients who underwent single-organ heart re-HT in the United States between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2022. HCV-viremic donors were defined by a positive nucleic acid amplification test (NAT+). Graft survival rates between HCV-viremic and HCV-non-viremic donor graft recipients were compared using a log rank test. Results During the study period, of 18,259 HTs performed, 427 (2.3%) constituted single-organ heart re-transplantations. Recipients of NAT+ grafts (n=19) compared to NAT- grafts (n=408) were more often male (84.2% vs 61.3%, p=0.04). Otherwise, there were no significant differences between the two groups in age, ethnicity, BMI, blood type, history of diabetes rates or stroke, creatinine or bilirubin levels, reason for re-HT, hemodynamics, use of mechanical circulatory support, and waitlist time. Ischemic time, frequency of female donors, HLA, ABO, CMV mismatch rates, and calculated panel reactive antibodies levels were comparable across the two groups. There were no significant differences in demographics or comorbidities rates between HCV-viremic and HCV-non-viremic donors apart from the cause of death. Among the donors of HCV-viremic grafts brain anoxia was reported more often (89.5%) than among HCV-non-viremic donors (40%), p <0.01. Rates of acute rejection treated in the first year after re-HT were comparable across the two groups. Over a mean follow-up of 3.0±2.1 and 3.3±1.8 years after re-HT from NAT- and NAT+ organ donors, respectively, graft survival rate at 1 year was 82% vs. 95% (p=0.3) and at 3 years 79% vs. 89%, respectively (p=0.6) (Figure). Conclusion Graft survival rates at 1 and 3 years post-heart re-HT in adult recipients of HCV-viremic donor grafts were comparable to those of recipients of HCV-non-viremic donor grafts. The current study provides compelling preliminary evidence that HCV-viremic donors constitute a viable donor pool for patients in need of heart re-transplantation.

Predictors of Right vEntricular Failure aftER LVAD implantation: PREFER LVAD study

Abstract Introduction The use of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) is increasing both as bridge-to-transplantation or destination therapy, considering the lack of heart donors for transplantation in advanced heart failure (AHF) population. Right ventricular post-implantation failure, major bleedings and infective events remain the principal adverse events in LVAD carriers, thus an accurate selection of candidates is needed. Purpose To identify between clinical, laboratory, standard and advanced (Speckle Tracking, STE) echocardiography, and right heart catheterization (RHC) indices, the best predictors of outcome after LVAD implantation. Materials and Methods We screened in our third-level center 30 patients with AHF, followed up from May 2013 to February 2022, for the assessment of LVAD implantation suitability. They all underwent a complete cardiological history collection, electrocardiography, standard and STE left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) size and function assessment. Regarding the right ventricle, SIENA score parameters, including RV sphericity index, RV free wall longitudinal strain (LS), right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), and 3D ejection fraction were used for exclude RV disfunction. RHC was performed on the same day of echocardiography. Follow-up was conducted at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months repeating all the assessments, for the occurrence of RV failure, all-causes mortality, hemorrhagic events and re-hospitalization for heart failure. With a univariate and multivariate statistical analysis, we went to test among all the parameters the possible predictors of outcome. Results The final population consists of 29 patients (93% male, mean age of 63±11 years), in NYHA class III or IV and a severe reduction of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF), in whom arterial hypertension and smoking, present or previous, were present in 58% and 65% of cases, respectively. The population was divided into two groups according to the occurrence of at least one cardiovascular event. 11 major events were recorded: including 4 hemorrhagic events, 3 all-causes mortality and 4 hospital admission for HF. No RV failure occurred in the first 12 months of follow-up. No differences were identified between the two groups in terms of echocardiographic indices and RV function, including RVFAC or RV-FWLS. At univariate analysis (see Table 1), the only parameter able to predict major CV events was central venous pressure (CVP)/pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) ratio, obtained by RHC, an index of balance between right and left heart filling pressure. Conclusions A careful application of SIENA score indices before LVAD implantation can significantly reduce the incidence of post-operative RV failure, as in our small population. Our results also confirmed the paramount role of RHC in the diagnostic work up of AHF.

They Deserve to Live: Impact of the Berlin Heart EXCOR on Small Children's Heart Transplant Waitlist in Low-Resource Settings.

Background: In newly emerging economy countries, the shortage of pediatric donor hearts and poor healthcare infrastructure poses a significant challenge. Although mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has been proven effective in enhancing heart transplant waiting list outcomes, economic barriers hinder its widespread adoption. Methods: A single-center retrospective study reviewed children under 10 kg on the heart transplant (HTx) list from 2012 to 2023. Elective or priority status was assigned based on their clinical condition at the time of transplant. In cases of clinical decompensation, centrifugal pump and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, transitioned to the Berlin Heart EXCOR (BHE) pediatric ventricular assist device (VAD) was employed. Pre- and post-HTx outcomes were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Cox regression, and competing survival risks. Results: Out of 81 infants on the HTx list, 61.7% (50/81) were in critical condition. The median wait time was 224 days, and 34% (28/81) died while waiting. Out of 37 transplanted patients, 6 (16%) had graft dysfunction, and 10 (27%) had acute renal injury. Survival to discharge was 84% (31/37). Patients who received the BHE exhibited higher chances of receiving a transplant (hazard ratio: 2.3; 95% confidence interval: 1.2-4.6; P = .01). Priority status or MCS use did not significantly impact mortality post-transplant. Conclusion: Advanced MCS technologies can potentially reduce the mortality risk on the pediatric HTx waitlist. The findings highlight the significant waiting time for HTx and the critical role of the BHE in improving outcomes in children, particularly those under 10 kg. The results advocate for the adoption of ventricular assist devices as a viable interim solution to bridge critically ill children to HTx, ultimately enhancing their chances of survival despite limited donor heart availability.

Ice-cold storage or controlled hypothermia to preserve marginal grafts in high-risk heart transplantation.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Paragonix SherpaPak cardiac transport system (PSP) compared to the standard ice-cold storage (ICS) in extended-criteria donor grafts implanted in high-risk recipients. Data of all HTx at the University Centers of Udine and Bologna, between January 2020 and December 2023, employing extended-criteria donors in high-risk HTx conditions were retrospectively analyzed. Patient outcomes and complications after HTx were assessed. Endomyocardial biopsies were performed in donor hearts immediately after retrieval (T0), before implantation (T1) and at reperfusion (T2) to evaluate signs of myocardial damage. Overall, 90 patients who had heart transplantation (HTx) with a donor graft preserved with either ICS (n = 60) or PSP (n = 30) were included in the study. The 30-day mortality was 3% in both groups (p = 0.99), and 1-year survival 90% and 88% (p = 0.89) for recipients transplanted with PSP and ICS preserved grafts. Rates of moderate-to-severe graft dysfunction and bradi-arrhythmias for PSP and ICS groups were 7% versus 20% (p = 0.08), and 3% versus 15% (p = 0.09). Histologically, severe degrees of cellular and endothelial damage were absent in all PSP grafts while severe degree of contraction bands were higher in ICS hearts at T2. In high-risk donor-recipient matching, donor heart preservation with PSP seems to show a tendency toward better graft protection.

Immunomodulation of T cell-mediated Alloimmunity by Proximity to Endothelial Cells under mTOR Blockade.

Endothelial cells (ECs) are an initial barrier between vascularized organ allografts and the host immune system and are thus well positioned to initiate and influence alloimmune rejection. The mTOR inhibitor rapamycin is known to inhibit T cell activation and attenuate acute allograft rejection (AR). It also has numerous effects on ECs. We hypothesized that mTOR blockade might directly alter EC alloimmunogenicity and reduce alloimmune responses independent of its effects on T cell function. Here we report that rapamycin treatment modulates EC coinhibitory ligand expression and alters cytokine/chemokine production. It alters the EC transcriptome broadly associated with negative regulation of immune responses. Rapamycin-treated ECs suppress EC-specific T cell proliferation independent of PD1/PD ligand interactions, and inhibit T cells responding to adjacent allogeneic cells in a contact-independent manner via secreted inhibitory mediators above 10 kDa. The T cell hypo-responsiveness induced by rapamycin-pretreated ECs was rescued by exogenous IL-2. Pre-exposing donor hearts to rapamycin improves the effect of B7 costimulation blockade in prolonging heart allograft survival in an MHC-mismatched mouse model. Our results indicate that rapamycin treated ECs have reduced alloimmunogenicity and create a local, contact-independent environment that limits T cell alloreactivity via anergy induction and improves the efficacy of B7 costimulation blockade.

The Temporalities and Spatialities of Death, Dying, and Heart Donation

The Temporalities and Spatialities of Death, Dying, and Heart Donation

Effect of Spatial Resolution on Accurate Detection and Localization of Arrhythmia Rotors in Human Right Ventricular Tachycardia.

The goal of this study was to identify the spatial resolution requirements for accurate rotor detection and localization in human right ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Poor spatial resolution is often cited as a reason for the inaccuracy of cardiac mapping catheters in detecting and localizing arrhythmia rotors. High-resolution (0.7 mm) arrhythmia data from optical recordings obtained from human donor hearts (n = 12) were uniformly downsampled to lower resolutions (1.4-7 mm) to approximate the spatial resolution (4 mm) of clinical mapping catheters. Rotors were tracked at various subresolutions and compared to the rotors in the original data by computing F1-scores to create accuracy profiles for both rotor detection and localization. Further comparisons were made according to arrhythmia type, donor sex, anatomical region, and mapped surface: endocardium or epicardium. For a spatial resolution of 4.2 mm, the accuracies of rotor detection and localization were 57% ± 4% and 61% ± 7%, respectively. Arrhythmia type affected the accuracy of rotor detection (monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, 58% ± 4%; ventricular fibrillation, 56% ± 8%) and localization (monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, 70% ± 4%; ventricular fibrillation, 54% ± 13%). However, donor sex, anatomical region (right ventricular outflow tract, mid, and apical), and mapped surface (epicardium and endocardium) did not significantly affect rotor detection or localization accuracy. To achieve rotor detection accuracy of 80%, a spatial resolution of 1.4 mm or better is needed. The accuracy profiles provided here serve as a guideline for future mapping device development.

Donor Posterior Atrial Flap Rotation for Left Atrial Cuff Reconstruction in Lung Transplantation.

We describe in detail a novel surgical technique for repairing donor anterior left atrial wall defect in vivo by rotating the posterior atrial flap during lung transplantation. This method can safely and effectively address the most common type of donor left atrial cuff defect: the anterior wall defect, with the intact posterior wall, typically retained when the donor heart is also used. During atrial cuff anastomosis in lung transplantation, the excess donor posterior atrial wall is trimmed into an atrial flap. After the posterior wall anastomosis is completed, the atrial flap is rotated 180° and used as a patch for anterior wall reconstruction anastomosis. After restoring blood flow, the flow rate of the pulmonary vein is normal and smooth as confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography. Compared with the traditional patch reconstruction method, the new method effectively reduces the atrial cuff anastomosis time. Our results showed no significant difference in pulmonary vein obstruction after reconstruction. Pulmonary artery systolic blood pressure was significantly lower and pulmonary function improved postoperatively in all groups, with no significant differences among the groups. The new technique provides a feasible strategy for the reconstruction of left atrial cuff defects and can improve the effective utilization rate of donor lungs.

Using an Isolated Working Rat Heart Model to Test Donor Heart Preservation Strategies.

Optimization of donor heart preservation solutions has played a key role in reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury in donor hearts during organ retrieval, transportation, and transplantation. Previous work from our laboratory showed that the addition of glyceryl trinitrate and erythropoietin to donor heart preservation solutions could significantly improve cardiac functional recovery after prolonged cold storage and in donation after circulatory death hearts. This supplementation protocol has been implemented in clinical use in transplant units around Australia, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. Here, we outline a protocol for testing supplementation strategies using an ex vivo isolated working rat heart (IWRH) perfusion circuit. Using this methodology, supplementation strategies can be tested in the context of prolonged cold static storage, donation after brain death, and donation after circulatory death donor heart preservation. Cardiac functional recovery, measured by aortic flow, coronary flow, cardiac output, pulse pressure, and heart rate, can be used to determine whether a particular preservation strategy can minimize ischemia-reperfusion injury of the donor heart.

Cervical heterotopic heart transplantation in mice using a novel suture technique.

BackgroundVascularized transplantation models in mice are critical to understand mechanisms that mediate rejection and to develop new therapeutics. Standard abdominal heterotopic heart transplantation techniques employ an end-to-side suture technique and are the workhouse of transplant immunology research laboratories. Recently, cervical heterotopic heart transplantation in mice has emerged as an alternative due to several advantages but is conventionally performed by suture or cuff techniques in an end-to-end fashion. Therefore, we introduce an end-to-side anastomosis technique. MethodsThe donor pulmonary artery is end-to-side anastomosed to the recipient right external jugular vein, using a continuous 10-0 nylon suture. Vascular suturing is accomplished inside the vessel on the posterior wall, and then outside the vessel on the anterior wall. Finally, the donor ascending aorta is end-to-side anastomosed to the recipient common carotid artery with an identical suture technique. ResultsThe median times for the donor heart harvest, recipient preparation, anastomoses of the pulmonary artery to the external jugular vein, and the ascending aorta to the common carotid artery were 12, 10, 12 and 11 min, respectively. The survival rate was 100% (n=20). ConclusionsWe provide a detailed description of how to perform end-to-side anastomoses using a suture technique in the mouse cervical heart transplantation model. This procedure reconstitutes coronary blood flow in the heart graft with minimal interruption to recipient anatomy and provides an experimental platform to study transplant immunology.

Heart Transplant Survival and the Use of Donors with Intracranial Bleeding: UNOS Registry Propensity Matched Analysis

ObjectiveThe transplantation of hearts from donors who suffered intracranial bleeding (ICB) has been associated with inferior long-term survival in both single-center analyses and, more recently, with the UNOS registry. The purpose of this study was to further explore this relationship through propensity matching in recipients receiving donor hearts from ICB and non-ICB donors in a large national registry. MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort analysis of the UNOS Registry OPTN between 2006 and 2018 for adult candidates wait-listed for isolated heart transplantation. Recipients were stratified into two groups, ICB and non-ICB donors. Propensity score matching was performed to estimate causal effects by using observational data. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate survival posttransplant. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to evaluate the independent effect of ICB as a cause of death. Results25,315 candidates met inclusion criteria. ICB heart donors (N=5,529) were older (median age, 42 versus 27 years; P<0.001), less likely men (54.5% versus 75.2% ; P<0.001), and more often had a history of smoking (20.1% versus 11.7% ; P<0.001), and hypertension (34.2% versus 9.5% ; P<0.001). Prior to matching there was a significant difference in long-term posttransplant survival e.g., the non-ICB (60.7% [59.5%,.61.9%] versus 56.8% [54.7%, 59.0%]; P<0.0001). However, when analyzing the propensity-matched groups for outcomes, no difference was found between the cohorts both in terms of long-term survival as well as in rates of rejection. ConclusionIn the largest propensity matching analysis of heart transplants from donors who had experienced ICB, we found similar survival and rejection rates in heart transplant recipients.

Organizational challenges for partial heart transplantation.

Partial heart transplantation (PHT) has emerged as a new treatment strategy to correct unrepairable heart valve dysfunction in pediatric patients. PHT selectively replaces the dysfunctional components of the recipient's heart and spares the native ventricles. As a result, the transplant biology of PHTs differs from heart transplants. Notably, donor hearts that are unsuitable for whole heart transplantation can be used, graft preservation can be prolonged and immunosuppression levels can be lowered. These nuances of PHT transplant biology have important implications for organizational aspects of PHT clinical application.

Prediction of Donor Heart Acceptance for Transplant and Its Clinical Implications: Results From The Donor Heart Study.

Despite a shortage of potential donors for heart transplant in the United States, most potential donor hearts are discarded. We evaluated predictors of donor heart acceptance in the United States and applied machine learning methods to improve prediction. We included a nationwide (2005-2020) cohort of potential heart donors in the United States (n=73 948) from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and a more recent (2015-2020) rigorously phenotyped cohort of potential donors from DHS (Donor Heart Study; n=4130). We identified predictors of acceptance for heart transplant in both cohorts using multivariate logistic regression, incorporating time-interaction terms to characterize their varying effects over time. We fit models predicting acceptance for transplant in a 50% training subset of DHS using logistic regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and random forest algorithms and compared their performance in the remaining 50% (test) of the subset. Predictors of donor heart acceptance were similar in the nationwide and DHS cohorts. Among these, older age (P value for time interaction, 0.0001) has become increasingly predictive of discard over time while other factors, including those related to drug use, infection, and mild cardiac diagnostic abnormalities, have become less influential (P value for time interaction, <0.05 for all). A random forest model (area under the curve, 0.908; accuracy, 0.831) outperformed other prediction algorithms in the test subset and was used as the basis of a novel web-based prediction tool. Predictors of donor heart acceptance for transplantation have changed significantly over the last 2 decades, likely reflecting evolving evidence regarding their impact on posttransplant outcomes. Real-time prediction of donor heart acceptance, using our web-based tool, may improve efficiency during donor management and heart allocation.

Forensic Pathological Identification Report of Early Death after Orthotopic Heart Transplantation: A Case Study

This report aims to determine the cause of death from a forensic pathological perspective in a case of early death after heart transplantation. Using methods such as external examination, autopsy, and histopathological examination, we analyze the multiple factors leading to death in this case, particularly focusing on the heart donor aspects. Heart donors must meet strict criteria regarding structural abnormalities, age, low body weight, cold ischemia time, donor infection, and poisoning, and heart function. However, this case suggests the need for further refinement of these standards. Preoperative pathological diagnosis of the donor heart is necessary to determine any primary diseases, establish pathological diagnostic standards, evaluate heart survival indices, and ensure the quality of life for recipients, thereby avoiding deaths caused by primary diseases of the donor heart.

Surgical techniques for cardiac procurement, preparation and perfusion using the Organ Care System

We provide an audio-visual step-by-step guide to the preparation of a donor heart for the application of normothermic, ex situ cardiac perfusion on the TransMedics Organ Care System using a heart donated after brain death. The use of the Organ Care System increases heart transplantation activity by enabling the utilization of hearts donated after circulatory death, the use of extended criteria grafts and the extension of out-of-body time, which can help overcome geographic or surgical barriers. Ex situ cardiac perfusion is a new technique and is therefore not yet routinely performed in many centres. However, it can be assumed that this technique will become more established and widespread in the future. Our video tutorial, which summarizes all important steps, can therefore be of benefit to surgical teams for planning, training or as a refresher.

Specific features of anesthesia management in a patient with a transplanted heart

Background. The number of heart transplant patients makes 1 per 100,000 in the Russian Federation, 1.2 per 100,000 population in the Tambov Region. The medical community is poorly informed about the specific features of managing such patients during non-cardiac surgical interventions. The article presents a case report of the management of a patient with a transplanted heart undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis. Preoperative preparation, anesthesia management, surgery, and postoperative care and rehabilitation were provided taking into account the presence of a transplanted heart in the patient, according to the Guidelines developed by the experts of the V.I. Shumakov Federal Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs where the heart transplant had been performed to the patient, and standard clinical recommendations.Case Report. An 18-year-old patient diagnosed with acute phlegmonous appendicitis with a heart transplanted in 2021 for dilated cardiomyopathy underwent laparoscopic appendectomy 3 years after heart transplantation. Anesthesia was provided taking into account the presence of a denervated donor heart, a high risk of myocardial ischemia and heart ailure (low cardiac output syndrome), and the need for a timely correction of hypovolemia and hypotension. Anesthesia management was a general combined multicomponent anesthesia.Conclusion. This clinical case has shown the possibility of providing medical care to a patient with a transplanted heart at a modern level in an urban multidisciplinary hospital. Non-cardiac surgery was performed in accordance with recommendations of specialists of V.I. Shumakov Federal Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs and clinical recommendations in order to achieve optimal results and the fastest possible rehabilitation in the postoperative period.

Mid-term Waitlist and Posttransplant Outcomes With Hepatitis C-positive Donor Hearts.

This study evaluates the clinical trends and impact of hepatitis C virus-positive (HCV+) donors on waitlist and posttransplant outcomes after heart transplantation. The United Network for Organ Sharing registry was queried to identify adult waitlisted and transplanted patients from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2022. In the waitlist analysis, the candidates were stratified into 2 cohorts based on whether they were willing to accept HCV+ donor offers. Waitlist outcomes included 1-y cumulative incidences of transplantation and death/delisting. In the posttransplant analysis, the recipients were stratified into 2 cohorts with and without HCV nucleic acid test (NAT)-positive donors. Outcomes included 1- and 4-y posttransplant survival. Propensity score-matching was performed. Risk adjustment was performed using multivariable Cox regression. During the study period, the number of centers using HCV NAT+ donors increased from 1 to 65 centers, along with the number of transplants. In the waitlist analysis, 26 648 waitlisted candidates were analyzed, and 4535 candidates (17%) were approved to accept HCV+ donors. Approval to accept HCV+ donors was associated with a higher likelihood of transplantation and a lower likelihood of death/delisting within 1 y of waitlisting. In the posttransplant analysis, 21 131 recipients were analyzed, and 997 recipients (4.7%) received HCV NAT+ hearts. The 1- and 4-y posttransplant survival were comparable between the recipients of HCV NAT+ and NAT- donors. Furthermore, the similar 1- and 4-y posttransplant survival persisted in the propensity score-matched comparison and multivariable Cox regression analysis. Utilization of HCV+ donors is rising. Heart transplants using HCV+ donors are associated with improved waitlist and comparable posttransplant outcomes.

Advancements in Donation after Circulatory Death Heart Procurement and Preservation: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Innovations.

The persistent shortage of donor hearts for transplantation has prompted exploration into Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) as a promising avenue for organ procurement. This comprehensive review aims to examine recent advancements in DCD heart procurement and preservation techniques to address the critical need for donor organs and improve transplant outcomes. A systematic review was conducted to identify relevant studies and innovations related to DCD heart procurement and preservation. Electronic databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar were searched using keywords such as "DCD heart donation," "organ preservation," and "transplantation." Studies with statistical analyses on transplant outcomes were included for further evaluation. A meta-analysis of DCD heart transplantation outcomes revealed a statistically significant increase in successful transplants utilizing hearts procured after circulatory death (p<0.05). Normothermic machine perfusion demonstrated a 20% reduction in ischemic time compared to traditional cold storage methods, leading to improved post-transplant cardiac function and reduced rates of primary graft dysfunction. These findings highlight the potential of DCD heart procurement and preservation techniques to address the critical shortage of donor hearts while enhancing transplant outcomes. Recent innovations in DCD heart procurement and preservation techniques show promise in overcoming the challenges of donor organ scarcity and improving transplant success rates. Continued research and development in this field are essential to further optimize these techniques and meet the growing demand for donor hearts worldwide.