Donor Heart Preservation

Donor heart preservation involves keeping a donated heart healthy and functional while it is transported from the donor to the recipient. This process typically involves cooling the heart to reduce its metabolic rate and using specialized solutions to prevent damage. Traditionally, the heart is transported on ice, but newer methods use devices that keep the heart perfused with oxygenated blood or preservation solutions, extending the time it can be preserved. Effective preservation is crucial for ensuring the heart remains viable, increasing the chances of successful transplantation and improving patient outcomes.