An advance in heart transplantation

Every year, hundreds of people in the United States die waiting for a heart transplant. Most are in their 50s and early 60s and have severe, debilitating heart failure. A new procedure known as donation after circulatory death may make up to 20% more donated hearts available. These transplants are made possible thanks to a machine referred to as a “heart in a box” that perfuses the heart with warm blood after it has been removed from the donor.