Using hearts from donors who have experienced circulatory death for transplantation
Official title: Transplantation of hearts from donation after circulatory death
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11084551 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to use hearts from donors who have passed away from heart problems to help more people with severe heart failure, by improving how these hearts are kept safe during transport and using special treatments to help them recover before they are transplanted.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $419,155 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL168282-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11084551 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from end-stage heart failure who are awaiting heart transplantation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with heart conditions that are not severe enough to require transplantation or those who are not candidates for heart surgery may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of hearts from donors who have died due to circulatory failure for transplantation, aiming to increase the availability of donor hearts for patients with end-stage heart failure. The study focuses on improving the preservation of these hearts during transport and exploring the use of stem cell secretions to enhance heart recovery before transplantation. By utilizing a normothermic perfusion platform, the research seeks to mitigate damage caused during the donation process and improve outcomes for transplant recipients. Patients may benefit from advancements in heart transplantation techniques that could lead to more successful surgeries and better long-term health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the number of viable donor hearts available for transplantation, improving survival rates for patients with heart failure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with similar approaches, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Meijing — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Wang, Meijing
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.