Heart Transplantation and Cold Ischemia: Towards Crossing the Border?

Elvis Aaron Porto1, Marcello Laneza Felicio1, Antônio Sérgio Martins1

  • 1Universidade Estadual Paulista Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu Hospital das Clínicas de Botucatu Botucatu São Paulo Brazil Departamento de Cirurgia e Ortopedia, Serviço de Cirurgia Cardiovascular e Transplante Cardíaco, Hospital das Clínicas de Botucatu, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.

Insights

This study found no significant difference in 30-day mortality after heart transplantation between patients with cold ischemic times greater than 4 hours and those with shorter times. These findings may inform strategies to increase donor organ availability.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Transplantation Surgery
  • Organ Preservation

Background:

  • Heart transplantation is vital for advanced heart failure treatment.
  • Optimizing organ viability through acceptable cold ischemic times is critical for successful outcomes.
  • This research examines the impact of prolonged cold ischemia on early mortality post-heart transplant.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between cold ischemic time exceeding 4 hours and 30-day mortality following heart transplantation.
  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of using organs with extended cold ischemic periods.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective observational study analyzed medical records of heart transplant recipients from January 2019 to December 2023.
  • Inclusion criteria specified the use of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate preservation solution.
  • Data collected included recipient demographics, heart failure etiology, procedural details, and 30-day mortality.

Main Results:

  • The study included 62 heart transplant recipients (79% male, average age 51).
  • Seven patients (≥ 4 hours cold ischemia) had a 43% 30-day mortality rate; 17 of 55 patients (< 4 hours) died (31%).
  • Chi-square analysis showed no statistically significant difference in 30-day mortality based on cold ischemic time (P = 0.835).

Conclusions:

  • No significant difference in 30-day mortality was observed between heart transplant recipients with cold ischemic times > 4 hours versus < 4 hours.
  • These findings suggest potential for expanding donor pool utilization.
  • Further strategies are needed to balance allograft availability with patient waiting lists.
Abstract

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