Traumatic brain injury donation is not associated with poorer outcomes following orthotopic heart transplantation

Great concern has been expressed within the transplant community regarding the utilisation of hearts from donors following traumatic brain death (TBD). Brain death initiates pathological endothelial activation, up-regulation of cell adhesion molecules, and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other mediators through complex neuro-hormonal pathways. These processes manifest with haemodynamic disturbance, myocardial impairment from diffuse endothelial injury, calcium overload and impaired coronary blood flow, and a reduction in the cardioprotective effects of ischaemic pre-conditioning, which ultimately compromise graft performance and longevity [1,2].
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research