Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
Pre-clinical Model of Cardiac Donation after Circulatory Death
Published on: August 2, 2019
The Potential for Heart Donation After Death Determination by Circulatory Criteria in the Province of Québec
Tamara Herrera Fortin1, Eliza Calin2, Anique Ducharme3
1Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Insights
Heart donation after death determination by circulatory criteria (DDCC) could significantly boost organ availability. This study found 34% of DDCC donors in Québec were eligible, potentially increasing heart transplants by 19%.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Transplantation Medicine
- Organ Donation
Background:
- The demand for heart transplantation (HT) exceeds donor availability.
- Heart donation (HD) following death determination by circulatory criteria (DDCC) is a potential strategy to expand the donor pool.
- Previous data on HD after DDCC in Québec is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the suitability of donors meeting DDCC criteria for heart donation in Québec.
- To estimate the potential impact of utilizing these donors on heart transplantation activity.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of donation records in Québec (January 2016 - December 2020).
- Analysis of donor and pre-donation characteristics.
- Application of predetermined exclusion criteria to assess heart donor eligibility.
Main Results:
- Out of 122 patients with DDCC, 42 (34%) were identified as potentially eligible heart donors.
- The median age of eligible donors was 52 years, with 60% being female.
- The primary causes for donation were medical aid in dying (26%), traumatic brain injury (26%), and anoxia (24%).
- A 19% increase in potential heart transplant activity was estimated.
- Only one donor exceeded the 30-minute warm ischemia time limit.
Conclusions:
- Utilizing donors meeting DDCC criteria offers a significant opportunity to increase heart donation volume in Québec.
- Implementing an HD program for DDCC donors could reduce waiting times and increase the number of heart recipients.
Background:
Heart donation (HD) by those with death determination by circulatory criteria (DDCC) has been proposed as a method to increase the heart donor pool in response to the growing need for heart transplantation (HT). However, the potential level of HD after DDCC in the province of Québec has not yet been reported. This study aims to assess the suitability for HD among donors with DDCC, and to estimate its impact on HT activity.
Methods:
Donation records by those with DDCC in the province of Québec, from January 2016 to December 2020, were retrospectively reviewed for donor and predonation characteristics. Predetermined exclusion criteria were used to evaluate eligibility for HD.
Results:
Of the 122 patients with DDCC who were included, 42 (34%) were identified as potentially-eligible heart donors. The median age of potentially-eligible donors was 52 years; 60% were female; and the most prevalent causes leading to organ donation in this group were medical aid in dying (26%), traumatic brain injury (26%), and anoxia (24%). A 19% increase (42 of 225) in potential HT activity was estimated using strict criteria. In only one case did functional warm ischemia time exceed the 30-minute limit.
Conclusions:
Using those with DDCC as a new source of heart donors can significantly increase the volume of heart donation in the province of Québec. Implementing an HD program for those with DDCC in Québec may reduce waiting time and increase the number of heart recipients.
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