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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Pre-clinical Model of Cardiac Donation after Circulatory Death
06:26

Pre-clinical Model of Cardiac Donation after Circulatory Death

Published on: August 2, 2019

Study of the evolution of the clinical profile of heart donors

M Almenar-Pertejo1, L Almenar, L Martínez-Dolz

  • 1Transplant Coordination, La Fe University Hospital, Valencia, Spain. Almenar_mar@gva.es

Transplantation Proceedings
|November 14, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Donor characteristics significantly impact heart transplant survival. Recent years show older donors, increased ischemia times, and more brain hemorrhage deaths, potentially affecting transplant outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Transplantation Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Donor characteristics critically influence heart transplant success.
  • A trend towards worsening clinical profiles in heart donors has been observed.
  • Understanding these donor changes is vital for optimizing transplant outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze temporal changes in the clinical characteristics of heart donors.
  • To identify trends in donor demographics and causes of death over distinct periods.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 396 heart donors across three periods: 1990-1994, 1995-1999, and 2000-2004.
  • Exclusion of pediatric, retransplantations, and combination transplantations.
  • Statistical evaluation using ANOVA, Kruskall-Wallis, and Chi-square tests (P < .05).

Main Results:

  • Significant increases in donor age (27 to 34 years, P=.0001) and ischemia time (119 to 156 minutes, P=.0001) were observed.
  • The proportion of deaths due to brain hemorrhage rose from 28% to 43% (P=.031).
  • These changes indicate a shift in the donor population over the study years.

Conclusions:

  • Distinct changes in donor clinical characteristics were identified across the study periods.
  • Increasing donor age, stroke-related deaths, and prolonged ischemia time represent significant recent trends.
  • These evolving donor factors warrant consideration in heart transplantation protocols.
Abstract

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