Faculty Collaboration Database

Successful transplantation of marginally acceptable thoracic organs. Ann Surg 1993 May;217(5):518-22; discussion 522-4

Date

05/01/1993

Pubmed ID

8489314

Pubmed Central ID

PMC1242835

DOI

10.1097/00000658-199305010-00012

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0027223486 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   85 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the efficacy of personally inspecting marginal thoracic organ donors to expand the donor pool.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The present donor criteria for heart and lung transplantation are very strict and result in exclusion of many potential thoracic organ donors. Due to a limited donor pool, 20-30% of patients die waiting for transplantation.

METHODS: The authors have performed a prospective study of personally inspecting marginal donor organs that previously would have been rejected by standard donor criteria.

RESULTS: Fourteen marginal hearts and eleven marginal lungs were inspected. All 14 marginal hearts and 10 of the marginal lungs were transplanted. All cardiac transplant patients did well. The mean ejection fraction of the donor hearts preoperatively was 39 +/- 11% (range 15-50%). Postoperatively, the ejection fraction of the donor hearts improved significantly to 55 +/- 3% (p < 0.002). Nine of the ten lung transplant patients did well and were operative survivors. Our donor pool expanded by 36% over the study period.

CONCLUSIONS: The present donor criteria for heart and lung transplantation are too strict. Personal inspection of marginal thoracic donor organs will help to maximize donor utilization.

Author List

Kron IL, Tribble CG, Kern JA, Daniel TM, Rose CE, Truwit JD, Blackbourne LH, Bergin JD

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Heart
Heart Transplantation
Humans
Lung
Lung Transplantation
Pulmonary Gas Exchange
Stroke Volume
Tissue Donors
United States