Revolutionizing Heart Transplants
Surgeons at National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) have achieved a historic milestone by performing the world’s first heart transplant in which the donor heart remained continuously beating throughout the entire procedure. This groundbreaking technique eliminates the traditional ischemic time, which is the period when blood flow is paused, significantly reducing damage to the heart muscle and enhancing the likelihood of a successful transplant.
Continuous Blood Flow: A Game Changer
By utilizing a custom organ care system that functions like a portable life-support machine, NTUH ensures that the heart is constantly supplied with oxygenated blood from the donor to the recipient. This innovative approach marks a significant shift from conventional methods that rely on cold storage and temporary pauses in blood flow, which can jeopardize the health of the organ.
How the Technology Works
Inspired by Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) techniques, NTUH’s organ care system utilizes a network of pumps, oxygenators, and reservoirs to keep the heart beating outside the body. During this pioneering surgery, the donor heart was transported between operating rooms while still beating, connected to this advanced device. The recipient, a 49-year-old woman suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy, experienced a smooth recovery, with low cardiac enzyme levels—a crucial indicator of heart muscle health.
Setting New Standards in Transplantation
While Stanford University recently explored “beating-heart” transplants, their method still involved brief ischemic periods during organ transfer. In contrast, NTUH’s zero-ischemic approach ensures that the heart never pauses, maintaining continuous function. “The hearts were still beating before procurement, continued beating after procurement, and never stopped,” explained Chen Yih-shurng, head of the organ transplant team at NTUH.
Future Prospects and Expanding Access
With two successful transplants already completed, NTUH is focused on refining their organ care system and increasing access to this life-saving technology. Their groundbreaking findings, published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Techniques, have the potential to redefine global transplant protocols. As the demand for donor hearts continues to exceed supply, this innovative approach offers hope for shorter waitlists and improved recovery outcomes for patients.
A Life-Saving Milestone
NTUH’s achievement is not just a testament to technical skill; it represents a significant advancement in saving lives. By eliminating ischemic time, the hospital has transformed the narrative surrounding heart transplants from “impossible” to “I’m possible.” For patients awaiting transplants, this breakthrough leads to stronger donor hearts, reduced complications, and a brighter chance at a second life. As the NTUH team aptly puts it, zero ischemic time equates to zero unnecessary risks.
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