Successful Heart Transplantation Recovered From a Brain-Dead Donor on Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support

Authors

Joshua B. Goldberg, From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York.
Avi Levine, Department of Cardiology, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York.
Suguru Ohira, From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York.
David Spielvogel, From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York.
Masashi Kai, From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York.

Author Type(s)

Faculty

Journal Title

ASAIO Journal

First Page

e64

Last Page

e65

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2022

Department

Surgery

Abstract

We describe the successful transplantation of a brain-dead donor supported by veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) after cardiac arrest secondary to pulmonary embolism. The donor was a 50-year-old female who developed massive pulmonary embolism complicated by cardiac arrest requiring initiation of VA-ECMO. An initial echocardiogram revealed severe right ventricular dysfunction which recovered after 6 days of VA-ECMO confirmed by transthoracic echocardiogram and right heart catheterization. The heart was transplanted to a 56-year-old male on a left ventricular assist device. At 1-year posttransplant, he continues to have normal graft function. The present case reports the successful transplantation of a brain-dead donor heart recently recovered from pulmonary embolism induced acute right ventricular failure supported by VA-ECMO and represents a potential source of increased donor organs that would otherwise not be utilized.

Recommended Citation

Goldberg, J. B., Levine, A., Ohira, S., Spielvogel, D., & Kai, M. (2022). Successful Heart Transplantation Recovered From a Brain-Dead Donor on Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support. ASAIO Journal, 68 (4), e64-e65. https://doi.org/10.1097/MAT.0000000000001437