Donor Heart Preservation by Hypothermic Ex Vivo Perfusion - Improved Recipient Survival and Successful Prolongation of Ischemic Time

PurposeCold static storage (CSS) is the standard method for heart preservation during transplantation (HTx). However, CSS beyond 4 hours increases the risk of primary graft dysfunction (PGD). Hypothermic ex vivo perfusion (HEVP) of donor hearts allows oxygen delivery during preservation, and may facilitate extended donor preservation without increasing PGD risk. We compared post-HTx survival, systemic inflammation and cardiac function following...