Cardiac allograft evaluation and procurement are integral parts of the
multiorgan donation process as cardiac function prior to brain death determination
often has a critical impact on multiorgan function. In this chapter, the authors review
the basic principles of cardiac assessment as well as maintaining cardiopulmonary
function during the period after brain death determination to enhance overall
cardiopulmonary as well as abdominal organ perfusion and function. They also review
acceptable donor criteria, expanding the donor criteria to enhance organ availability,
preservation solution selection and techniques and donor-recipient selection and
matching to improve post transplant success.
Keywords: Donor Criteria, Donor-Recipient Matching in Heart Transplantation,
Extended Donor Criteria.
