Heart Allograft Utilization Rates Following Donation After Circulatory Death Compared to Donation After Brain Death in the Ideal Heart Donor.

BACKGROUND

The number of heart allografts obtained from donation after circulatory death (DCD) remains low, especially compared to donation after brain death (DBD). Our study aimed to identify factors associated with the underutilization of hearts in ideal donors.

METHODS

Patient-level data were obtained from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database for all adult deceased donors who underwent organ procurement and subsequent transplantation between January 2020 and December 2023. "Ideal" DCD donors were analyzed as a separate subset and compared with ideal DBD donors. Transplantation rates, along with associated factors, were assessed.

RESULTS

The rate of heart allograft utilization was 6.9% in DCD donors compared to 35.4% among DBD donors (p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis of ideal donors demonstrated that 41% of DCD donors were utilized for heart transplantation compared to 85% of DBD donors (p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis for heart utilization demonstrated that interventions, including extracorporeal life support (odds ratio [OR] 7.48, 95% CI 4.72-12.35) and coronary angiography (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.76-4.39), were independent predictors of utilization. There was no significant association with hypertension (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.52-1.06), tobacco use (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.47-1.06), or BMI (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.97-1.01) in the ideal DCD donor. Regional variation in donor heart utilization rates was observed.

CONCLUSION

There remains a significant portion of ideal DCD donors whose hearts remain unutilized. Identifying and addressing factors related to underutilization may improve organ yield.