Safe heart flush technique during recovery from donors after circulatory death. Issue 12 (13th October 2022) - El‐Sayed Ahmed, Magdy M.
Abstract: Background: Donation after circulatory death is the donation after cardiac arrest. This technique has been employed and adopted by clinicians to overcome the shortage of available hearts for transplant. Warm ischemia time plays a pivotal role in the survival outcome of the heart recipients. Aim of the study: To assess the efficacy of using the Foley catheter to flush the heart during procurement from donation after circulatory death donors. Methods: We utilized a 2‐WAY Foley catheter to flush the heart during procurement. The catheter was prepared and modified on the back table. Results: We were successfully able to flush the heart within 3 minutes from skin incision with a good recipient outcome. Conclusions: Using the Foley catheter to flush the heart during recovery from donation after circulatory death donors was both efficient and fast.