Improving how hearts from deceased donors are allocated to patients in need.
Official title: Optimizing the allocation of hearts from deceased donors
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11074058 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to improve how hearts from donors are given to people waiting for a transplant, making sure that those who need them most get them fairly, by using smart technology to better understand the risks for each candidate on the waiting list.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 11, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $762,743 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL169798-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11074058 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals on the heart transplant waiting list, particularly those who are sensitized or belong to underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not on the heart transplant waiting list or those with conditions that preclude them from receiving a transplant may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the allocation process of hearts from deceased donors by addressing disparities in the current system. It will analyze the effectiveness of the new heart allocation statuses and investigate whether they accurately reflect the risks faced by candidates on the waiting list. By employing machine learning techniques, the study will develop a predictive model to assess the likelihood of death for heart transplant candidates, ensuring a fairer and more equitable distribution of available organs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more equitable heart transplant allocation system, potentially saving more lives.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that optimizing organ allocation can significantly improve patient outcomes, suggesting that this approach has the potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gentry, Sommer Elizabeth — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Gentry, Sommer Elizabeth
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.