The heart was transported directly to the transplant hospital where the recipient was being prepared for surgery. The clock starts ticking when the aortic cross-clamp is applied. We have about six hours to transport the heart, reimplant it and reestablish perfusion before ischemic damage develops. Other organs have different limits. The lungs need to be transplanted more quickly (three hours), while the kidneys have up to 48 hours.
Narrative and Discussion:
David G. Rabkin, M.D.
Cardiovascular Research Fellow
New York Presbyterian Hospital
Dr. Henry Spotnitz, Vice Chairman, Department of Surgery
Dr. Niloo Edwards, Director of Cardiac Transplantation
Dr. Eric Rose, Chairman, Department of Surgery