Cardiac transplantation is the treatment of choice for eligible patients with advanced heart failure; however, it is limited by a critical shortage of suitable organs from traditional brain-dead donors. Organs donated following circulatory death (DCD) have been used to successfully expand the pool of organs available for kidney, liver, and lung transplantation; however, concerns regarding the severity of injury sustained by the heart following withdrawal of life sustaining therapy have deterred the clinical transplantation of DCD hearts. Investigations aiming to optimize the resuscitation, preservation, and evaluation of DCD hearts may facilitate the development of an evidence based protocol for DCD heart transplantation that can be translated to the clinical area and expand the donor pool. Therefore, the objectives of this thesis are to develop a clinically relevant large animal model of DCD and gain a greater understanding regarding the physiologic impact of donor extubation on the DCD heart, demonstrate as a ‘proof-of-concept’ that utilizing an approach to donor heart resuscitation, preservation, and evaluation that is tailored to the DCD context can facilitate successful transplantation, and finally to investigate ways to optimize the resuscitation, preservation, and evaluation of DCD hearts for transplantation. The results of this thesis may then be used to inform the development of an evidence-based protocol for DCD heart transplantation that can be translated to the clinical area. The clinical adoption of such a protocol has the potential to expand the donor pool and improve outcomes for patients with end-stage heart failure. / May 2017

No description available.

Introdução: O transplante cardíaco exerce um papel relevante no tratamento da insuficiência cardíaca grave. Dentro dos desfechos desfavoráveis a seus resultados, a falência primária do enxerto é reconhecida, como condição de gravidade e mortalidade elevada. Os fatores implicados no aparecimento da falência primária do enxerto ainda não são bem esclarecidos e sua relevância é pouco estudada. Objetivo: Observar se há associação entre hipernatremia do doador e de outras variáveis com o desenvolvimento da falência primária do enxerto (FPE). Métodos: Foram avaliados, retrospectivamente, 200 pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de Transplante Cardíaco Ortotópico (TxC) no Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia (IDPC), no período entre 01/01/2001 e 31/12/2010, sendo cotado os níveis de sódio sérico no doador. Além disto, foram avaliados outros fatores relacionados ao doador, ao receptor e ao procedimento cirúrgico. Após a identificação de que o sódio sérico do doador estava elevado no grupo de receptores com FPE, um ponto de corte foi obtido pela curva ROC. O nível de significância dos testes foi de 5%. Um modelo de regressão logística múltipla foi ajustado para avaliar os efeitos de fatores e covariáveis presentes na FPE. Resultados: Entre os pacientes que desenvolveram falência primária do enxerto, a média do sódio sérico foi de 162,0 mEq/l contra 153,6 mEq/l dos que não apresentaram FPE. O valor de corte pela curva ROC foi de 159 mEq/l. Houve diferença significativa (p< 0,03) entre os dois grupos com aumento de ocorrência de falência primária do enxerto nos pacientes que receberam órgãos oriundos de doadores com sódio sérico >159mEq/l. A outra variável que apresentou valor significativo (p=0,04) foi o tabagismo do doador. Conclusão: Com base nesses achados, observou-se que existe associação entre a elevação do sódio sérico do doador com o desenvolvimento de falência primária do enxerto, após o transplante cardíaco. / Introduction: Cardiac transplantation has a role in the treatment of severe heart failure. Within the unfavorable outcomes to their results, the primary graft failure is recognized as a condition of severity and high mortality. The factors involved in the onset of primary graft failure are still unclear and their relevance is poorly studied. Objective: Observe if there is an association between donor hypernatremia and other variables with the development of primary graft failure (PGF). Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 200 patients who underwent surgery for orthotropic heart transplantation (HT) at the Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia (IDPC) in the period between 01/01/2001 and 12/31/2010, and evaluated the serum sodium levels in the donor. Furthermore, we assessed other factors related to the donor, the recipient and the surgical procedure. After identification that the donor serum sodium was higher in the group of receivers with PGF, a cutoff point was obtained by ROC curve. The level of significance of the tests was 5%. A multiple logistic regression model was fitted to assess the effects of factors and covariates present in PGF. Results: Among patients who developed primary graft failure, the mean serum sodium was 162.0 mEq/l versus 153.6 mEq/l of which showed no PGF. The cutoff value for the ROC curve was 159 mEq/l. There was an important difference (p <0.03) between the two groups with increased incidence of primary graft failure in patients who received organs from donors with serum sodium> 159 mEq/l. The other variable that showed a significant value (p = 0.04) was smoking from the donor. Conclusion: Based on these findings, we observed that there is an association between elevated serum sodium from the donor with the development of primary graft failure after heart transplantation.

A desnutrição freqüentemente está presente em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca (IC), podendo trazer aumento de complicações e mortalidade. O objetivo do estudo foi o de avaliar o estado nutricional de pacientes portadores de IC refratária, aguardando a realização de transplante cardíaco. Avaliação nutricional foi realizada utilizando-se da avaliação subjetiva global, avaliação antropométrica completa [índice de massa corpórea (IMC), circunferência do braço (CB), prega cutânea tricipital (PCT), circunferência muscular do braço (CMB) e área gordurosa do braço (AGB)], avaliação laboratorial e realização de anamnese alimentar em dois momentos: no momento de admissão na fila de transplante (1a avaliação) e 4 meses após (2a avaliação). Na 1ª avaliação foram estudados 56 pacientes, idade média de 46±12 anos, 67,8% homens, 33,9% com miocardiopatia chagásica. Análise de dados antropométricos revelou com base no IMC: 73,2% eutróficos e 5,3% com baixo peso; CMB: 66% apresentavam depleção. Houve correlação negativa e significativa entre IMC e fator de necrose tumoral (r= - 0,305; p= 0,022). Análise laboratorial demonstrou: baseado na albumina, 50% dos pacientes apresentavam-se com algum grau de depleção, na transferrina 40% e na contagem de linfócitos 80%. Houve correlação negativa e significativa entre albumina e interleucina-6 (r = - 0,464; p< 0,001), transferrina e interleucina-6 (r= -0,269; p= 0,047) e contagem de linfócitos e interleucina-6 (r= - 0,394; p=0,003). Na 2ª avaliação 18 pacientes foram estudados. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as duas avaliações quanto aos parâmetros estudados. Com base na realização da anamnese alimentar os pacientes atingiram aproximadamente 85% e 84% de suas necessidades calóricas na 1ª e 2ª avaliações, e com relação à ingestão protéica, tanto na 1ª como na 2ª avaliação mais de 70% dos pacientes apresentaram consumo adequado de proteínas. Foi observado consumo abaixo das necessidades nutricionais de cálcio, potássio, magnésio, zinco, folato e vitamina E. Quanto ao sódio verificamos um consumo acima do recomendado. Foram transplantados 14 pacientes com idade de 44 ± 21 anos, 57,1% do sexo masculino, quatro pacientes morreram no pós operatório. Não houve diferenças significativas quanto aos dados antropométricos, laboratoriais, de adequação alimentar e idade entre o grupo de transplantados que sobreviveram (n=9) comparados com os que faleceram (n=4). Concluímos que a desnutrição é comum em pacientes com IC grave aguardando transplante cardíaco. A avaliação nutricional baseada no IMC não mostrou ser um bom método, necessitando ser complementada com as medidas de CB, CMB, PCT e AGB. A avaliação laboratorial permitiu a detecção de comprometimento nutricional. A participação das citocinas inflamatórias no processo de desnutrição foi evidenciada em nossa população. Portanto, a avaliação nutricional completa deve fazer parte do atendimento em pacientes com IC crônica, particularmente aqueles com IC refratária à espera por um transplante cardíaco / Malnutrition is frequently present in patients with heart failure (HF) and is associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate nutritional status of patients with refractory HF waiting for cardiac transplantation. Nutritional evaluation was done with the use of subjective global assessment, complete anthropometric measurements (body mass index (BMI), mid-arm circumference (MAC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) and arm fat area), laboratory evaluation and food intake assessment in two moments: at the admission to the cardiac transplantation waiting list (1st evaluation) and after 4 months (2nd evaluation). On the 1st evaluation, we studied 56 patients, mean age 46±12 years, 67.8% were men, and 33.9% had Chagas disease. Analyzing anthropometric measurements, we found that, based on BMI 73.2% of patients were normal and 5.3% had underweight; MAMC revealed 66% with depletion. There was a negative and significant correlation between BMI and tumor necrosis factor-a (r= - 0.305; p<0.022). Laboratory evaluation showed that based on albumin levels, 50% of patients had some degree of depletion, based on transferrin 40% and on lymphocyte count 80%. There were negative and significant correlations between albumin and interleukin-6 (r= - 0.464; p<0.001), transferrin and interleukin-6 (r= -0.269; p<0.047) and lymphocyte count and interleukin-6 (r= -0.394; p<0.003). On the 2nd evaluation 18 patients were studied. There were no significant differences in the studied parameters between the 1st and 2nd evaluations. Based on the food intake assessment, percentage of adequacy of calories intake was 85% and 84% on 1st and 2nd evaluations, and more than 70% of patients had adequate protein intake on both evaluations. Low intake of calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, folate and vitamin E was detected. Daily sodium intake was found to be above the recommended levels. Fourteen patients were submitted to cardiac transplantation, mean age 44±21 years, 57.1% were men. Four patients died in post operative period. No relation was observed between anthropometric, laboratory, alimentary adequacy and age variables between patients transplanted that survive (n=9) and that died (n=4). We concluded that malnutrition is common in patients with refractory HF listed for cardiac transplantation. Nutritional assessment based on BMI did not show to be a good index to detect nutritional disorders and need to be used together with MAC, TSF, MAMC and arm fat area. Laboratory evaluation permitted the detection of compromised nutritional status. The participation of inflammatory cytokines in the process of malnutrition was evidenced in our population. Therefore, a complete nutritional evaluation should be part of routine care of patients with chronic HF, particularly in those with refractory HF waiting for cardiac transplantation

Bakgrund: Hjärttransplantation har idag blivit en etablerad procedur som kan erbjudas till patienter som lider av svår hjärtsvikt. Patienterna har stort behov av omvårdnad en lång period efter att hjärttransplantationen är genomförd. Sjuksköterskans uppgift är att kunna möta hjärttransplanterade patienter i omvårdnadsarbetet. Syfte: Syftet var att beskriva vuxna patienters upplevelser efter hjärttransplantation. Metod: För att utföra studien gjordes en allmän litteraturstudie. Tio vetenskapliga artiklar från tre olika omvårdnadsdatabaser granskades och analyserades. Resultat: I resultatet framkom tre huvudkategorier med sex underkategorier; Patienternas upplevda känslor med underkategorierna; Rädsla över att det nya hjärtat skulle sluta slå, Upplevelsen av att inte vara värdig sitt nya hjärta och Tankar och känslor om donatorn och donatorns familj. Huvudkategorin; Upplevelse av ny identitet och huvudkategorin: Upplevelse av stöd med följande underkategorier; Stöd från vården, Stöd från anhöriga och vänner och slutligen Stöd från andra hjärttransplanterade. Slutsatser: Upplevelserna av att leva med ett transplanterat hjärta varierade mellan patienterna och omfattade både psykiska och fysiska faktorer. Upplevelsen av att leva i osäkerhet kring sin hälsa skapade oro, rädsla och ångest hos patienterna som visade på ett stort behov av stöd från sjukvårdspersonalen. För en optimal personcentrerad omvårdnad behöver sjuksköterskan ha kunskap om hjärttransplanterade patienters upplevelser för att få ökad förståelse och kunna ge adekvat omvårdnad. / Background: Heart transplant has today become an established procedure offered to patients suffering from severe heart failure. The patients are in need of medical care for a long period of time after the heart transplant has been carried out. Moreover, it is the duty of the nurse to be able to respond to the patients in daily nursing care. Aim: The aim was to describe adult patients’ experiences after a hearttransplantation. Method: To carry out the study, a general literature study was used. The result was based on ten scientific articles from three healthcare databases which were reviewed and analyzed. Result: Three main categories and six subcategories emerged from the result; The patients’ experienced feelings with the following subcategories; Fear that the new heart would stop beating, The experience of not being worthy of the new heart and Thoughts and feelings about the donor and the donor's family. The main category; Experience of new identity and the main category: The presence of support with the following subcategories; Support from the healthcare, Support from relatives and friends and finally Support from other hearttransplanted. Conclusion: The experiences of living with a transplanted heart varied between patients and included both mental and physical components. The Patients’ experience of living in uncertainty about their health created difficulties with fear and anxiety and the patients showed a great need for support. To achieve the best person-centered care possible, the nurse needs to be familiar with the patient’s experiences to acquire an understanding so as to be able to give an appropriate nursing care.

Submitted by Suzana Dias (suzana.dias@famerp.br) on 2018-11-07T22:12:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 FULVIOBERGAMOTREVIZAN_dissert.pdf: 7181854 bytes, checksum: ce3a9d6618562e6fd84d6a79ad94d818 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-07T22:12:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 FULVIOBERGAMOTREVIZAN_dissert.pdf: 7181854 bytes, checksum: ce3a9d6618562e6fd84d6a79ad94d818 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-14 / Heart transplantation is the therapeutic procedure indicated to increase the survival of patients with refractory heart failure. Improvement in overall functioning and quality of life are expected factors in the postoperative period. Objectives: To identify and evaluate mental disorders and symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, quality of life and coping strategies in the post-surgical situation of heart transplantation, as well as to correlate the variables and comparing them between sex, age group and time after transplantation. Method: A cross-sectional, quantitative study with patients who have undergone heart transplantation at Hospital de Base of São José do Rio Preto, SP. Participants answered to the Sociodemographic Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview, the Ways of Coping Scale (EMEP) and WHOQOL-BREF, World Health Organization to assess quality of life. For data analysis, the significance level was considered P≤0.05. Results: A total of 33 patients participated in the study, 67% (n=22) males, mean age 52 years (± 11.75), mean time after transplantation 10 years (± 3.39). Female patients were 33% (n=11), mean age 54 years (± 11.04), mean time of transplantation 10 years (± 3.28). The BDI-II results indicated that 91% (n=30) presented a minimal level, 6% (n=2) mild level and 3% (n=1) moderate level of depression symptoms. In BAI, 94% (n=31) demonstrated minimal level, 3% (n=1) mild level and 3% (n=1) moderate level of anxiety symptoms. WHOQOL-BREF showed a perception of quality of life considered good (60-80 points) in all domains: psychological (70.45), social relationship (69.7), environment (67.33) and physical (63.53). The EMEP data have registered a problem-focused coping strategy (M=3.56 ± 0.68), religiosity (M=3.55 ± 0.48), social support (M=3.34 ± 0.73) and emotion M=1.76 ± 0.36). According to MINI, a single case of major depressive episode, current and recurrent was recorded. Significant differences were found in the perception of the psychological domain of men as being higher than in women (P=0.0071). Men were more satisfied with the environment (P=0.0387); patients aged ≥ 53 years focusing more on religiosity for coping with problems than lower-aged patients (P=0.039), which was also their main strategy. Conclusion: Although most participants in the sample had symptoms of depression and anxiety, only one patient was identified with moderate symptoms in both domains. The most used strategy was coping problem-focused, followed by focusing on religiosity, social support and emotion. Patients have classified the perceptions of quality of life as 'good', pointing out satisfaction with their health. / Diante da insuficiência cardíaca refratária, transplante de coração é o procedimento terapêutico indicado para aumentar a sobrevida do paciente. A melhora do funcionamento global e da qualidade de vida são fatores esperados no pós-cirúrgico. Objetivos: identificar e avaliar transtornos mentais e sintomas, tais como depressão e ansiedade, qualidade de vida e estratégias de enfrentamento diante da situação pós-cirúrgica de transplante do coração. Assim como, correlacionar as variáveis e compará-las entre sexo, faixa etária e tempo de transplante. Método: estudo transversal, quantitativo, com pacientes submetidos ao transplante cardíaco no Hospital de Base de São José do Rio Preto. Os participantes responderam ao Questionário Sociodemográfico, ao Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI-II), ao Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck (BAI), ao MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview, à Escala Modos de Enfrentamento de Problemas (EMEP) e ao WHOQOL-BREF, instrumento da Organização Mundial de Saúde para avaliar qualidade de vida. Para análise de dados adotou-se nível de significância P≤0,05. Resultados: participaram 33 pacientes, 67% (n=22) do sexo masculino, idade média de 52 anos (±11,75), tempo médio de transplante: 10 anos (±3,39) e 33% (n=11) do sexo feminino, idade média de 54 anos (±11,04), com tempo médio de transplante em 10 anos (±3,28). Os resultados do BDI-II indicaram que 91% (n=30) apresentaram nível mínimo, 6% (n=2) nível leve e 3% (n=1) nível moderado de sintomas de depressão. No BAI, 94% (n=31) demonstrou nível mínimo, 3% (n=1) nível leve e 3% (n=1) nível moderado de sintomas de ansiedade. WHOQOL-Bref revelou uma percepção da qualidade de vida considerada boa (60-80 pontos) em todos os domínios: psicológico (70.45), relações sociais (69.7), ambiente (67.33) e físico (63.53). Os dados da EMEP registraram enfrentamentos focados em problemas (M=3,56 ±0,68), religiosidade (M=3,55 ±0,48), suporte social (M=3,34 ±0,73) e emoção (M=1,76 ±0,36). No MINI, foi registrado um único caso de episódio depressivo maior atual e recorrente. Diferenças significantes foram encontradas na percepção do domínio psicológico de homens como sendo maior do que em mulheres (P=0.0071). Homens estavam mais satisfeitos com o meio ambiente (P=0.0387); pacientes com idade ≥ 53 anos focando mais na religiosidade para o enfrentamento de problemas do que pacientes com idades inferiores (P=0.039), sendo esta, também, sua estratégia principal. Conclusão: embora a maioria dos participantes da amostra tenha apresentado sintomas de depressão e ansiedade, apenas um paciente foi identificado com sintomas moderados nos dois domínios. Modo de enfrentamento focado no problema foi a estratégia mais utilizada, seguida de foco na religiosidade, suporte social e emoção. Pacientes classificaram as percepções de qualidade de vida como ‘boas’, indicando sua satisfação com a saúde.

Bakgrund: Hjärttransplantation har utförts sedan 1967 och det är idag främst patienter med svår hjärtsvikt som kan bli aktuella för hjärttransplantation. Efter en hjärttransplantation följer en livslång medicinering och patienterna behöver gå på regelbundna kontroller för att minska risken för avstötning av det nya hjärtat. Sjuksköterskans ansvar är exempelvis att ge patienterna och dess närstående information kring hjärttransplantationen. Syfte: Syftet var att beskriva patienters erfarenheter av att leva med ett transplanterat hjärta. Metod: En beskrivande innebördsanalys har använts för att analysera sju bloggar. Resultat: Resultatet visade att tiden efter hjärttransplantationen upplevdes besvärlig och patienterna satte upp nya relevanta mål med stöd av sjuksköterska, närstående och vänner för att kunna anpassa sig till de nya levnadsvillkoren och den livslånga medicineringen. I samband med hjärttransplantationen upplevde patienterna hur de fått ett nytt sätt att se på livet och tack vare tacksamheten över att få fortsätta leva valde vissa av patienterna att sprida kunskap om organdonation vidare. Konklusion: Hjärttransplantationen innebar en stor omställning för patienterna och de fick anpassa sig till de nya levnadsvillkoren. Känslor som oro, uppgivenhet och tacksamhet präglade deras vardag. Stöd av närstående, vänner och sjuksköterska uppskattades av patienterna för att återgå till en vardag utan ett ickefungerande hjärta. / Background: Heart transplants have been performed since 1967. Today it’s primarily patients with severe heart failure who are considered for the procedure. After the transplant a lifelong immunosuppressive medication for the patients follows, and they need regular check-ups to lower the risk of rejection of the heart. The nurse’s responsibility was for example to give the patients’ and their families’ information about the procedure. Aim: The aim was to describe patients’ experiences of living with a transplanted heart. Method: A descriptive content analysis was used to analyze seven blogs. Results: The first period following the transplant was experienced as difficult. The patients created new relevant goals with help of nurse, family and friends in order to adjust to the new life and lifelong medication. The patients’ experienced how they got a new perspective of life. Because of the gratitude of survival, the patients chose to spread knowledge about organ donation further. Conclusion: The heart transplant meant a big adjustment for the patients, to a new life. Feelings like anxiety, resignation and gratitude were now a part of their life. Support from family, friends and nurse was appreciated by the patients in order to get back to a life without a non-functioning heart.

Background: A life with severe chronic heart failure is debilitating, and most patients die of the disease. The possibility of having a heart from a deceased donor is often the patient's only hope of continued life. Aim: To gain a deeper insight and understanding of the patients experiences after a heart transplant. Method: Literature study with results based on 13 scientific articles. Results: Gratitude was the great common experience for the recipients of new hearts. Patients felt gratitude to the donor and his family. Many directed their gratitude to God who they believed had given them a new chance for life. Gratitude was also directed to medical staff without their support and knowledge had the transplant could not be implemented. The recipient of the new heart also had feelings of guilt for their own survival was based on someone else's death. Discussion: We found that gratitude was quite a natural experience after a heart transplant, because the patients got a new chance at life. The result about God may have been influenced by the articles are from the U.S. and Brazil, where God may be more significant for some individuals. We believe it is important that as medical personnel be aware of and understand what the transplant has gone through. / Bakgrund: Ett liv med svår kronisk hjärtsvikt är invalidiserande och de flesta patienter dör i sin sjukdom. Möjligheten att få ett hjärta från avliden donator är ofta patientens enda hopp om fortsatt liv. Syfte: Att få en djupare inblick och förståelse i patienters upplevelser efter en hjärttransplantation. Metod: Litteraturstudie med ett resultat baserat på 13 vetenskapliga artiklar. Resultat: Tacksamhet var den stora gemensamma upplevelsen för mottagare av ett nytt hjärta. Patienterna kände tacksamhet mot donatorn och dennes familj. Många riktade sin tacksamhet mot Gud som de ansåg hade gett dem en ny chans till liv. Tacksamheten riktades också till sjukvårdpersonal, utan deras stöd och kunskap hade transplantationen inte kunnat genomföras. Mottagaren av det nya hjärtat hade också skuldkänslor för att deras egen överlevnad baserades på någon annans död. Diskussion: Vi fann att tacksamhet var en naturlig upplevelse efter en hjärttransplantation eftersom patienterna fått en ny chans till liv. Resultatet kring Gud kan ha påverkats av att artiklarna är från USA och Brasilien där Gud kan ha större betydelse för vissa individer. Vi tror att det är viktigt att som sjukvårdspersonal vara medveten om och förstå vad de transplanterade har gått igenom.

No description available.

Brain death has adverse effects on the organ donor, increasing organ dysfunction and affecting transplantation outcomes. It can also render organs unsuitable for transplantation. Another determinant of organ quality is ischaemia-reperfusion injury, which limits ischaemic storage time for hearts to six hours. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the effectiveness of hormone resuscitation (HR) of the donor to ameliorate the effects of brain death. Another aim was to develop a donor management and organ preservation strategy to ameliorate the effects of ischaemia-reperfusion injury on the heart, thereby extending ischaemic preservation times. A porcine model of the brain-dead multi-organ donor with orthotopic cardiac transplantation was utilised. Donor HR was shown to improve cardiac contractility and haemodynamics, thereby reducing inotrope requirements. A follow-up study investigating the effects of three different donor management protocols demonstrated that donor haemodynamics, renal arterial flow and creatinine clearance were superior in HR animals compared with animals treated with noradrenaline or intravenous fluid alone. Noradrenaline was associated with a significant deterioration in pulmonary function (PaO2 and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient) and a decline in donor pH. HR was not associated with any detrimental effects on the lungs, liver or pancreas compared with the other two groups. Preservation strategies incorporating glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) and cariporide, a Na+-H+ exchange inhibitor, were investigated to safely extend cardiac ischaemic preservation times. Pre-treatment with intravenous cariporide prior to heart explantation (donor) and reperfusion of the transplanted heart (recipient) was shown to effectively extend ischaemic time to 14 hours, evidenced by weaning off cardiopulmonary bypass. GTN and cariporide-supplemented Celsior, used as a cardioplegic/storage solution, was also effective in extending preservation time to 14 hours, with superior cardiac contractility compared with cariporide pre-treated hearts. Both treatments also ameliorated reperfusion injury, stabilising haemodynamics for up to three hours post-bypass. This thesis has demonstrated the effectiveness of HR to ameliorate the negative effects of donor brain death. It also provides evidence that combined GTN and cariporide-supplemented Celsior improves long-term preservation of the donor heart. These strategies offer the potential to increase the proportion of transplantable organs, to improve donor organ quality, and thereby improve transplantation outcomes.