Heart transplant advances: Ex vivo organ-preservation systems
Benjamin S. Bryner, Jacob N. Schroder, Carmelo A. Milano
Abstract
Feature Editor Note-In the accompanying article, the team from Duke presents the underlying concepts and early data surrounding the implementation of ex vivo organ preservation in heart transplantation.Cold storage is currently the standard practice in donor-heart preservation, yet with this approach, prolonged ischemic times lead to greater rates of primary graft dysfunction.The goal of ex vivo heart preservation is to minimize ischemic damage during storage, facilitate longer periods of storage, and allow opportunity for detailed evaluation of marginal donor hearts prior to transplantation.Currently, one device, the TransMedics Organ Care System, or "heart-in-a-box," has received the CE mark of approval in Europe and is undergoing review for Food and Drug Administration approval in the United States.