Most transplanted hearts are from donors who are brain dead, but new research shows a different approach can be just as successful and boost the number of available organs
By LAURAN NEERGAARD
WASHINGTON — Most transplanted hearts are from donors who are brain dead, but new research shows a different approach can be just as successful and boost the number of available organs.
It’s called donation after circulatory death, a method long used to recover kidneys and other organs but not more fragile hearts. Duke Health researchers said Wednesday that using those long-shunned hearts could allow possibly thousands more patients a chance at a lifesaving transplant — expanding the number of donor hearts by 30%. Check out the full story in ABC News.