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Writer's pictureMischa Chou

"Perfectly Good Heart": What Makes a Heart Good for Donation?

Updated: May 26



Heart transplantation is an important treatment for patients with end-stage heart failure, offering improved long-term outcomes compared to other interventions. However, the success of heart transplantation depends significantly on the quality of the donor heart. In recent years, there has been increased scrutiny on institutional outcomes, leading to a focus on appropriate donor selection to ensure optimal transplantation results. 


One of the primary challenges in heart transplantation is the limited supply of donor organs compared to the increasing demand. In the United States, the number of heart transplants has remained relatively stable over the past two decades, highlighting the need for efficient organ utilization. The selection of suitable donor hearts is crucial for maintaining and optimizing transplantation outcomes, emphasizing the importance of adherence to established guidelines and protocols. The selection process begins with the identification of potential donors and a thorough assessment to determine the suitability of the heart for transplantation. Donor hearts are evaluated based on various criteria, including age, medical history, hemodynamic stability, and cardiac function. One of the central concepts in donor heart selection is the matching of the donor heart to the recipient's individual needs, ensuring compatibility and minimizing the risk of rejection.


Age is a critical factor in donor heart selection, with most centers using a cut-off age of less than 55 years. While there has been a gradual increase in the upper age limit for acceptable donors, studies have shown that older donor age is associated with increased long-term mortality rates. Other donor factors, such as the presence of thoracic trauma, history of cardiac disease, and prolonged hypotension, are also considered in the assessment process.

Functionality of the donor heart is assessed through various tests, including echocardiography, electrocardiography, and cardiac enzyme markers. Echocardiography is particularly important for evaluating left ventricular function, detecting abnormalities such as hypertrophy or valvular dysfunction. The need for inotropic or vasopressor support is also evaluated, with caution exercised in older donors or those with risk factors for coronary artery disease.


In addition to donor heart quality, factors such as ischemic time, recipient co-morbidities, and size matching play a crucial role in transplantation success. Ischemic time should ideally be less than four hours, as longer ischemia times are associated with higher mortality rates. Size matching between donor and recipient is also important, with extra caution needed in patients with pulmonary hypertension or restrictive pericardial space.

In other words, a "perfectly good heart" for donation is one that meets the established criteria for donor heart selection, including age, functionality, and compatibility with the recipient. The careful assessment of donor hearts and adherence to selection guidelines are essential for optimizing transplantation outcomes and maximizing the utilization of donor organs.


Works Cited

American Transplant Foundation. Facts and Myths About Organ Donation (https://www.americantransplantfoundation.org/about-transplant/facts-and-myths/). 


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). Transplant Safety Overview (https://www.cdc.gov/transplantsafety/overview/index.html). 


Donate Life America. Understand Donation (https://donatelife.net/donation/). .

Kilic, A., Emani, S., Sai-Sudhakar, C. B., Higgins, R. S., & Whitson, B. A. (2014). Donor selection in heart transplantation. Journal of thoracic disease, 6(8), 1097–1104. https://doi.org/10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2014.03.23


Northwestern Medicine. (n.d.). Organ transplants: What makes a good donor. https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/organ-transplants-what-makes-good-donor 



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