Improving heart transplantation outcomes using donor hearts after circulatory death
Official title: Reduction of cardiac injury in DCD hearts with prolonged ischemic period: Role of MPTP opening and calpain activation
Funded at VA Veterans Administration Hospital · NIH-11109630 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to protect donated hearts that have stopped beating for a while, so they can be safely used for transplants, which could help more people get the heart they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Veterans Administration Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2018 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX003859-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11109630 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with end-stage heart failure who are awaiting heart transplantation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not candidates for heart transplantation or those with conditions that preclude the use of DCD hearts will not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates ways to reduce cardiac injury in hearts donated after circulatory death (DCD) to make them suitable for transplantation. It focuses on understanding the mechanisms of injury that occur during the prolonged ischemic period and how to mitigate these effects. By exploring the role of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening and calpain activation, the study aims to extend the acceptable ischemia time for DCD hearts, potentially increasing the number of available donor hearts for patients in need of heart transplants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the availability of donor hearts for transplantation, potentially saving more lives.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in utilizing DCD organs for transplantation, indicating that this approach has potential for further advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Veterans Administration Hospital
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quader, Mohammed — VA Veterans Administration Hospital
- Study coordinator: Quader, Mohammed
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.