NYMC Faculty Publications

Title

Ex Vivo Heart Perfusion for Cardiac Transplantation Allowing for Prolonged Perfusion Time and Extension of Distance Traveled for Procurement of Donor Hearts: An Initial Experience in the United States

Author Type(s)

Resident/Fellow, Faculty

First Page

e1455

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2023

Department

Medicine

Second Department

Surgery

Abstract

UNLABELLED: Scarcity of donor hearts continues to be a challenge for heart transplantation (HT). The recently Food and Drug Administration-approved Organ Care System (OCS; Heart, TransMedics) for ex vivo organ perfusion enables extension of ex situ intervals and thus may expand the donor pool. Because postapproval real-world outcomes of OCS in HT are lacking, we report our initial experience. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who received HT at our institution in the post-Food and Drug Administration approval period from May 1 to October 15, 2022. Patients were divided into 2 groups: OCS versus conventional technique. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients received HT during this period, 8 using OCS and 13 conventional techniques. All hearts were from donation after brain death donors. The indication for OCS was an expected ischemic time of >4 h. Baseline characteristics in the 2 groups were comparable. The mean distance traveled for heart recovery was significantly higher in the OCS group (OCS, 845 ± 337, versus conventional, 186 ± 188 mi;  < 0.001), as was the mean total preservation time (6.5 ± 0.7 versus 2.5 ± 0.7 h;  < 0.001). The mean OCS time was 5.1 ± 0.7 h. In-hospital survival in the OCS group was 100% compared with 92.3% in the conventional group ( = 0.32). Primary graft dysfunction was similar in both groups (OCS 12.5% versus conventional 15.4%;  = 0.85). No patient in the OCS group required venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support after transplant compared with 1 in the conventional group (0% versus 7.7%;  = 0.32). The mean intensive care unit length of stay after transplant was comparable. CONCLUSIONS: OCS allowed utilization of donors from extended distances that otherwise would not be considered because ischemic time would be prohibitive by conventional technique.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS