Research Data from University of Louisville Update Understanding of Heart Transplants (Donation After Circulatory Death Does Not Worsen Survival After Heart Transplant for Patients With a Durable Left Ventricular Assist Device).

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Louisville examined the impact of heart transplants from donors after circulatory death (DCD) on patients with a durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The study found that there was no significant difference in postoperative outcomes or overall survival between recipients of DCD and donors after brain death (DBD). However, recipients with durable LVADs from DCD donors had a higher rate of treatment for rejection within the first year. These findings suggest that the use of DCD donors may help decrease waitlist time for patients with durable LVADs. [Extracted from the article]