Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
A High-Fidelity Porcine Model of Orthotopic Heart Transplantation Following Donation after Circulatory Death
Published on: June 6, 2025
[Distant heart procurement for transplantation]
Guillermo Careaga-Reyna1, Hugo Zetina-Tun, Cesar Villaseñor-Colín
1División de Cirugía Cardiotorácica, UMAE, Hospital General Dr. Gaudencio González Garza, Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, IMSS, México D.F., Mexico. gcareaga3@gmail.com
Insights
Long-distance organ procurement for heart transplantation is a viable option, demonstrating good outcomes despite extended ischemic times. This method addresses donor shortages in heart transplantation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Transplant Surgery
Context:
- Limited organ donor availability poses a significant challenge to heart transplantation.
- Long-distance organ procurement is an accepted strategy to overcome geographical limitations, despite potential increases in ischemic time.
Purpose:
- To assess the feasibility and outcomes of long-distance organ procurement for heart transplantation.
- To evaluate ischemic time, procurement distance, and mortality rates in adult patients undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation.
Summary:
- This study analyzed 14 orthotopic heart transplants, with 12 involving long-distance procurement (up to 2,319 km).
- Mean ischemic time was 228.58 minutes. Perioperative and short-term mortality were 8.33% and related to non-cardiac complications.
- One case of combined heart-kidney transplantation from a single donor was included.
Impact:
- Long-distance procurement is a valuable procedure for heart transplantation, yielding favorable results.
- This approach can help mitigate donor shortages and expand access to life-saving heart transplants.
Background:
The low availability of organ donors is a serious hindrance to heart transplantation. Long-distance organ procurement has been accepted as an option despite longer ischemic time for the heart.
Methods:
Long-distance procurement from outside Mexico City in adult patients with terminal heart failure submitted to orthotopic heart transplantation between February 1st 2011, and January 31st 2012, was assessed. Ischemic time, distance from Mexico City, and perioperative and short-time mortality were determined.
Results:
There were 14 orthotopic heart transplants during the analyzed period. In 12 cases long-distance heart procurement was required. Mean age of recipients was 42.7 years (range between 17 and 61 years). Seven patients were male and five female. Mean ischemic time was 228.58 minutes. The longest distance of procurement for land and air travel was 2,319 km; and the lowest, 22.5 km. Perioperative mortality was 8.33% (one patient), and there were 2 short-term deaths due to non-cardiac complications. In this series we included a case of heart-kidney transplantation from same donor.
Conclusion:
At our hospital, long-distance procurement for heart transplantation is a useful procedure with good results.
