Improving heart preservation for transplantation

Prolonged Normothermic Ex vivo Heart Perfusion (NEVHP)

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · NIH-10889078

This study is looking at a new way to keep donor hearts healthy longer before they are transplanted, which could help more people get the heart they need by making it easier to match donors with recipients.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR (nih funded)
Locations1 site (ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10889078 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates a method called prolonged normothermic ex vivo heart perfusion (NEVHP) to enhance the preservation of donor hearts before transplantation. By using advanced techniques such as plasma exchange and continuous hemofiltration in animal models, the study aims to maintain heart function for extended periods, allowing for better matching of donor hearts to recipients. The ultimate goal is to make heart transplantation more elective and increase the availability of viable donor organs.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients awaiting heart transplantation who may benefit from improved donor heart preservation techniques.

Not a fit: Patients who are not candidates for heart transplantation or those with conditions that preclude them from receiving a transplant may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the outcomes of heart transplantation by increasing the number of viable donor hearts and ensuring better matches for patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in heart preservation techniques, indicating that this approach has the potential for success in clinical applications.

Where this research is happening

ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.