Lung transplantation from donation after cardiac death (non-heart-beating) donors

Although lung transplantation is a well-accepted treatment for advanced lung diseases, donor shortage remains a significant limiting factor resulting in an increasing number of deaths of people on waiting lists. Recently, some transplant centers have begun to use lungs retrieved from donors after circulatory arrest. This review outlines the relevant published experimental data and clinical experiences with lung transplantation from donation after cardiac-death donors (DCDs) or non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs). Techniques for lung preservation and ex vivo lung assessment of DCD (NHBD) lungs are reviewed, and aspects of primary graft dysfunction after DCD (NHBD) lung transplantation are discussed.