
cold ischemia
Cold ischemia refers to the period when a tissue or organ is removed from a living body and kept at low temperatures to preserve it for medical procedures, such as transplants. During this time, the cells are not receiving blood flow, which means they are not getting oxygen and nutrients. The colder the temperature, the slower the cells' metabolism, which helps protect them from damage. However, prolonged cold ischemia can lead to cell injury and reduce the effectiveness of the organ or tissue once it’s reintroduced into a living body. Managing cold ischemia time is crucial in transplantation.