Extended Ex-Situ Heart Perfusion Maintains Cardiac Function After Orthotopic Transplantation in a Pig Model

1

The study evaluated a novel ECMO-based ESHP system for preserving porcine hearts for 24 hours prior to transplantation.
2

Hearts maintained on the ESHP system showed improved cardiac output post-transplantation, increasing from 5.94 to 7.06 L/min.
3

Despite reductions in hemoglobin and arterial oxygen content, oxygen delivery remained adequate after transplantation.
4

Oxygen consumption significantly increased at 4 hours post-transplantation, indicating effective metabolic performance.
5

No acute graft dysfunction was observed, demonstrating that 24-hour ESHP can maintain heart viability and function.

Frontiers In Cardiovascular Medicine

by Zhuldyz Nurmykhametova, Rymbay Kaliyev, Timur Lesbekov, Linar Faizov, Assel Medressova, Aiym Turarova, Yerik Zuparov, Yuriy Pya
April 15, 2026

1