Innovative strategies to increase cardiac donor availability

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Transplantation Medicine
• Organ Donation

Background:

• Heart transplantation is a critical life-saving procedure globally.
• Adult heart transplant volumes increased in the US in 2024, while pediatric volumes hit a decade low.
• Limited organ availability is a significant barrier to increasing heart transplant volume.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical need for innovation in increasing donor organ supply for heart transplantation.
• To review current and proposed strategies aimed at expanding the donor organ pool.
• To emphasize the potential impact of these innovations on patients awaiting transplants.

Main Methods:

• Review of current organ donation and transplantation strategies.
• Analysis of trends in adult and pediatric heart transplantation volumes.
• Exploration of novel approaches to increase organ availability.

Main Results:

• Existing strategies like donation after cardiac death and ABO-incompatible transplantation have expanded the donor pool but not met demand.
• Pediatric heart transplantation volume has significantly decreased.
• Several innovative strategies are proposed to address organ scarcity.

Conclusions:

• Continued innovation is essential to overcome organ donor limitations in heart transplantation.
• Strategies such as partial heart transplantation, legislative changes, and xenotransplantation show promise.
• Refinement of these approaches is vital for improving outcomes for patients needing heart transplants.