Groundbreaking Continuous Beating Heart Transplant Achieved at Taiwan University Hospital

Groundbreaking Continuous Beating Heart Transplant Achieved at Taiwan University Hospital

In a historic first, surgeons at National Taiwan University Hospital have successfully completed a heart transplant procedure where the donor organ remained continuously beating. This revolutionary surgical technique eliminates the pause in blood flow known as ischemic time, which significantly reduces damage to the heart muscle and enhances the likelihood of a successful transplant.

By maintaining a steady flow of oxygenated blood throughout the entire transplantation process, the NTUH team has established a new standard in cardiac surgery that holds promise for improved outcomes for patients around the globe.

Transforming Heart Transplantation with Continuous Flow

Traditionally, heart transplants involve cold storage, which halts blood flow to the organ. Even a brief period without oxygen can lead to heart muscle damage, increasing the risk of rejection and post-surgical complications. The innovative method developed by NTUH employs a specialized organ care system that functions like a portable life-support machine, delivering oxygenated blood to the heart from donor to recipient without any interruptions or reliance on cold storage.

Inspired by Advanced Life Support Technologies

Drawing inspiration from ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) life support technology, the organ care system ensures the heart remains viable while outside the body. This system utilizes a series of pumps, oxygenators, and reservoirs to keep the heart functioning. During the landmark surgery, the medical team transported a beating donor heart between operating rooms while connected to this life-sustaining device. The recipient, a 49-year-old woman suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy, experienced a smooth recovery with impressively low cardiac enzyme levels, a crucial factor indicating heart health.

Establishing a New Era in Transplant Surgery

Although Stanford University had previously experimented with