Fate of Discarded Hearts Donated After Circulatory Death: Is There an Opportunity for Novel Use?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Use of hearts identified as eligible for donation after circulatory death (DCD) has been largely suboptimal. We aimed to study how hearts identified as eligible for DCD in the United States have been used and discuss whether innovative techniques or alternate use can enhance allocation of these hearts to benefit children and adults with heart disease.

Methods

Data from United Network for Organ Sharing database of all eligible DCD donors from January 2013 to December 2022 were analyzed. Donor data were categorized based on heart disposition as not recovered, recovered not for transplant, and recovered for transplant but not transplanted.

Results

Overall, 5244 hearts considered eligible for DCD were not transplanted, accounting for 421 hearts per year between

SUBMITTER: Alemany VS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12712207 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature