ransplantation of a Beating Heart: A First in Human

Ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI), an inevitable component in organ transplantation, contributes to inferior graft survival, compromised organ quality and limitations in organ availability. The heart is most vulnerable to IRI and tolerated ischemic times are very short. We present an entire novel heart transplant procedure during which the donor heart was continuously perfused, oxygenated at normothermia and transplanted while beating. The dynamic electrocardiogram and echocardiogram indicated an absence of ischemic injury and excellent function of the donor heart during the entire procedure. This ischemia-free beating heart transplantation (IFBHT) avoids graft IRI. The approach has thus the potential to improve transplant outcome while improving organ utilization.