Heart transplants from donors with hepatitis C may be safe and could help decrease organ shortage

(American Heart Association) One-year survival was 90% for adults with severe heart failure who received a heart transplant from a donor with hepatitis C, which was nearly identical to those who received a heart from donors who did not have hepatitis C (91%). Rates of organ rejection, stroke and kidney dialysis were similar between the two groups. More research is needed to assess longer-term results, however, increased use of hearts from donors with hepatitis C could help overcome the national shortage of donor organs.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news