Successful non-heart-beating donor organ retrieval in a patient with a left ventricular assist device

Am J Transplant. 2004 Jan;4(1):144-6. doi: 10.1046/j.1600-6143.2003.00280.x.

Abstract

Non-heart-beating donors (NHBD) represent an option to expand the organ supply with good results. We report a donor patient with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) due to dilated cardiomyopathy in which controlled NHBD was performed. Due to the LVAD, a modified procurement technique was utilized. The liver and kidneys were procured and successfully transplanted. Patients and grafts are alive and well. Successful organ retrieval can be achieved on selected cases of NHBD with LVADs in which modifications of the procurement technique are implemented without jeopardizing the procurement and not increasing preservation injury.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / pathology
  • Graft Survival
  • Heart Ventricles*
  • Heart-Assist Devices*
  • Humans
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Kidney Transplantation / methods*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver Transplantation / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Donors*
  • Tissue and Organ Harvesting / methods*