Waiting list mortality and the potential of donation after circulatory death heart transplantations in the Netherlands

Human Cardiac Microtissues Display Improved Engraftment and Survival in a Porcine Model of Myocardial Infarction

Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) constitute a promising therapy for myocardial infarction (MI). The lack of an effective immunosuppressive regimen, combined with single-cell transplantations, results in suboptimal outcomes, such as poor engraftment and compromised therapeutic efficacy. This study aimed to confirm the increased retention of hiPSC-CMs microtissues (CMTs) over single-cell grafts. To ensure the long-term survival of CMTs for potential cardiac applications, CMTs were transplanted in a porcine model of MI using a triple immunosuppression protocol designed to limit immune cell infiltration. Acute evaluation of spherical hiPSC-CMs aggregates and dissociated aggregates followed by the development of a triple immunosuppression protocol were performed in healthy animals. Long-term survival of CMTs was later examined in pigs that underwent a transient coronary occlusion. Two weeks post-MI, the immunosuppression treatment was initiated and on day 28 the animals were transplanted with CMTs and followed for four more weeks. Acutely, CMTs showed superior retention compared to their dissociated counterparts. The immunosuppression regimen led to no organ damage and stable levels of circulating drugs once optimal dose was achieved. Two weeks post-xenotransplantation in healthy pigs, histology revealed that immunosuppressed animals displayed a significant decrease in total cellular infiltrates, particularly in CD3+ T cells. Pigs that underwent coronary occlusion, which later were immunosuppressed and treated with CMTs (5 × 107 cells), showed cell engraftment onto the native myocardium four weeks post-transplantation. This study supports the use of a triple immunosuppression cocktail to ensure long-term survival of CMTs for the treatment of MI.

Echocardiographic Parameters of Right Ventricular Size and Function Associated With Right Heart Failure After Durable Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Late-onset Right Ventricular (RV) failure is an established complication of Durable Left-Ventricular Assist Device (D-LVAD) implantation. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) remains the primary imaging modality for serial monitoring in this population, but its interpretation remains challenging due to device-related changes in RV size and function and a lack of guidelines addressing this impact. This study aims to examine the diagnostic and prognostic utility of TTE parameters of RV size and function in the detection of late-onset RV failure post-implantation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A systematic literature search of medical databases was performed to identify all relevant studies assessing TTE parameters in adult patients with D-LVADs (January 2003-August 2023; English only). Of the 350 studies identified, nine studies with a pooled cohort of 627 patients and three studies with a pooled cohort of 175 patients (40 Cases and 135 controls) were meta-analyzed across a range of structural and functional TTE parameters. Compared to World Alliance Societies of Echocardiography (WASE) reference values, this population had dilated RV size (as quantified by RVEDD) and reduced systolic function (as quantified by TAPSE, RVFAC, and RVEF). TAPSE was positively associated with the non-RVF group, while RVEDD was negatively associated with the non-RVF group.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the available studies, there was baseline RV dilatation and reduced systolic function in patients with D-LVADs. Additionally, TAPSE and RVEDD demonstrated a statistically significant association with the development of RVF post-implantation, indicating a potential role as prognostic markers. Further studies should also be conducted to establish post-implantation TTE reference values.

Healthcare consumption of patients with left ventricular assist device: real-world data

BACKGROUND

A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a life-saving but intensive therapy for patients with end-stage heart failure. We evaluated the healthcare consumption in a cohort of LVAD patients in our centre over 6 years.

METHODS

All patients with a primary LVAD implantation at the University Medical Centre Utrecht in Utrecht, the Netherlands from 2016 through 2021 were included in this analysis. Subsequent hospital stay, outpatient clinic visits, emergency department visits and readmissions were recorded.

RESULTS

During the investigated period, 226 LVADs were implanted, ranging from 32 in 2016 to 45 in 2020. Most LVADs were implanted in patients aged 40-60 years, while they were supported by or sliding on inotropes (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support class 2 or 3). Around the time of LVAD implantation, the median total hospital stay was 41 days. As the size of the LVAD cohort increased over time, the total annual number of outpatient clinic visits also increased, from 124 in 2016 to 812 in 2021 (p = 0.003). The numbers of emergency department visits and readmissions significantly increased in the 6‑year period as well, with a total number of 553 emergency department visits and 614 readmissions. Over the years, the annual number of outpatient clinic visits decreased by 1 per patient-year follow-up, while the annual numbers of emergency department visits and readmissions per patient-year remained stable.

CONCLUSION

The number of patients supported by an LVAD has grown steadily over the last years, requiring a more specialised healthcare in this particular population.

The Potential for Heart Donation After Death Determination by Circulatory Criteria in the Province of Québec

Background

Heart donation (HD) by those with death determination by circulatory criteria (DDCC) has been proposed as a method to increase the heart donor pool in response to the growing need for heart transplantation (HT). However, the potential level of HD after DDCC in the province of Québec has not yet been reported. This study aims to assess the suitability for HD among donors with DDCC, and to estimate its impact on HT activity.

Methods

Donation records by those with DDCC in the province of Québec, from January 2016 to December 2020, were retrospectively reviewed for donor and predonation characteristics. Predetermined exclusion criteria were used to evaluate eligibility for HD.

Results

Of the 122 patients with DDCC who were included, 42 (34%) were identified as potentially-eligible heart donors. The median age of potentially-eligible donors was 52 years; 60% were female; and the most prevalent causes leading to organ donation in this group were medical aid in dying (26%), traumatic brain injury (26%), and anoxia (24%). A 19% increase (42 of 225) in potential HT activity was estimated using strict criteria. In only one case did functional warm ischemia time exceed the 30-minute limit.

Conclusions

Using those with DDCC as a new source of heart donors can significantly increase the volume of heart donation in the province of Québec. Implementing an HD program for those with DDCC in Québec may reduce waiting time and increase the number of heart recipients.

Examining a 12-year experience within Kazakhstan's national heart transplantation program

Kazakhstan has one of the lowest heart transplantation (HTx) rates globally, but there are no studies evaluating the outcomes of HTx. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the national HTx program over a 12-year period (2012-2023). Survival analysis of the national HTx cohort was conducted using life tables, Kaplan‒Meier curves, and Cox regression methods. Time series analysis was applied to analyze historical trends in HTx per million population (pmp) and to make future projections until 2030. The number of patients awaiting HTx in Kazakhstan was evaluated with a regional breakdown. The pmp rates of HTx ranged from 0.06 to 1.08, with no discernible increasing trend. Survival analysis revealed a rapid decrease in the first year after HTx, reaching 77.0% at 379 days, with an overall survival rate of 58.1% at the end of the follow-up period. Among the various factors analyzed, recipient blood levels of creatinine and total bilirubin before surgery, as well as the presence of infection or sepsis and the use of ECMO after surgery, were found to be significant contributors to the survival of HTx patients. There is a need for public health action to improve the HTx programme.

Case report: Organ donation after euthanasia for psychiatric suffering: some of the practical and ethical lessons Martijn taught us

Euthanasia in psychiatric patients presents unique challenges, especially when combined with organ donation. In this article, the hurdles psychiatric patients might encounter after expressing their wish for organ donation after euthanasia, are discussed and illustrated by the case of Martijn, a 45-year-old psychiatric patient who altruistically donated his organs after euthanasia. Hospital and physician-related factors, including caution in determination of mental capacity, consideration of conflicting interests, and healthcare staff stress are discussed as impediments to organ donation after euthanasia (ODE) in psychiatric patients. The primary objective of this article is to raise awareness among psychiatrists regarding the fact that although the combination of euthanasia and organ donation is an uncommonly performed procedure, it is frequently requested by psychiatric patients. In conclusion, the article advocates for a nuanced approach, respecting patients' altruistic wishes while at the same time addressing challenges associated with ODE in psychiatric suffering. Where possible, and within the current medical, ethical and legal boundaries, the importance of facilitating organ donation without unnecessarily prolonging the suffering of competent psychiatric patients seeking euthanasia is emphasized. The topic calls, for example, for further qualitative research to understand the stakeholders' perspectives to determine the perceived possibilities on the one hand and boundaries on the other.

Heart transplantation: advances in expanding the donor pool and xenotransplantation

Approximately 65 million adults globally have heart failure, and the prevalence is expected to increase substantially with ageing populations. Despite advances in pharmacological and device therapy of heart failure, long-term morbidity and mortality remain high. Many patients progress to advanced heart failure and develop persistently severe symptoms. Heart transplantation remains the gold-standard therapy to improve the quality of life, functional status and survival of these patients. However, there is a large imbalance between the supply of organs and the demand for heart transplants. Therefore, expanding the donor pool is essential to reduce mortality while on the waiting list and improve clinical outcomes in this patient population. A shift has occurred to consider the use of organs from donors with hepatitis C virus, HIV or SARS-CoV-2 infection. Other advances in this field have also expanded the donor pool, including opt-out donation policies, organ donation after circulatory death and xenotransplantation. We provide a comprehensive overview of these various novel strategies, provide objective data on their safety and efficacy, and discuss some of the unresolved issues and controversies of each approach.

Acceptance, Awareness, Attitude, and Practices Toward Heart Transplantation: A Saudi Based Survey

Introductions

The awareness of brain death and heart donation (HD) among the Saudi population remains limited, coupled with negative attitudes toward heart donation, resulting in a significant gap between the demand for donor hearts and the available supply. This study aimed to comprehensively understand the current perceptions, attitudes, and practices of the Saudi population regarding HD, as well as identify the obstacles. The ultimate goal was to strengthen the local donor pool.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2023, employing a self-administered internet survey. The survey collected demographic information, assessed awareness, attitudes, and practices related to HD, and was completed by 1820 participants from various regions in Saudi Arabia. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). Chi-square test, Independent-samples t-test, one way analysis of variance test (ANOVA) and Spearman correlation coefficient was performed with the significance level set at p < 0.05.

Results

A significant portion of the population (out of 1820 participants) lacked organ donation cards and were uncertain about the registration process. Participants displayed a moderate level of knowledge about HD, with roughly half holding unfavorable attitudes toward HD. A considerable percentage of participants 62.0% were unwilling to register as heart donors, but a majority (79.9%) were willing to contribute by disseminating information about HD. The study identified significant associations between knowledge scores and several factors, including age (p = 0.002), career (p = 0.000), possession of an organ donation card (p = 0.000), and a history of transplantation or organ donation among relatives (p = 0.000). A significant relationship was observed between attitude scores and several factors, including career (p = 0.001), Saudi region (p = 0.025), possession of an organ donation card (p = 0.000), and a history of transplantation or organ donation among relatives (p = 0.000).

Conclusion

The study highlights the urgent need for increased awareness to bolster the number of local heart donors. The involvement of healthcare professionals and social campaigns is essential to enhance public knowledge and potentially boost the willingness of individuals to become donors.

Dilemmas concerning heart procurement in controlled donation after circulatory death

With an expanding population at risk for heart failure and the resulting increase in patients admitted to the waiting list for heart transplantation, the demand of viable organs exceeds the supply of suitable donor hearts. Use of hearts after circulatory death has reduced this deficit. Two primary techniques for heart procurement in circulatory death donors have been described: direct procurement and perfusion and thoraco-abdominal normothermic regional perfusion. While the former has been accepted as an option for heart procurement in circulatory death donors, the latter technique has raised some ethical questions in relation to the dead donor rule. In this paper we discuss the current dilemmas regarding these heart procurement protocols in circulatory death donors.

Left ventricular assist device implantation and clinical outcomes in the Netherlands

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy is an established treatment for advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. We evaluated the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients implanted with an LVAD in the Netherlands.

METHODS

Patients implanted with an LVAD in the Netherlands between 2016 and 2020 were included in the analysis. Baseline characteristics entered into this registry, as well as clinical outcomes (death on device, heart transplantation) and major adverse events (device dysfunction, major bleeding, major infection and cerebrovascular event), were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 430 patients were implanted with an LVAD; mean age was 55 ± 13 years and 27% were female. The initial device strategy was bridge to transplant (BTT) in 50%, destination therapy (DT) in 29% and bridge to decision (BTD) in the remaining 21%. After a follow-up of 17 months, 97 (23%) patients had died during active LVAD support. Survival was 83% at 1 year, 76% at 2 years and 54% at 5 years. Patients implanted with an LVAD as a BTT had better outcomes compared with DT at all time points (1 year 86% vs 72%, 2 years 83% vs 59% and 5 years 58% vs 33%). Major adverse events were frequently observed, most often major infection, major bleeding and cerebrovascular events (0.84, 0.33 and 0.09 per patient-year at risk, respectively) and were similar across device strategies. Patients supported with HeartMate 3 had a lower incidence of major adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term survival on durable LVAD support in the Netherlands is over 50% after 5 years. Major adverse events, especially infection and bleeding, are still frequently observed, but decreasing with the contemporary use of HeartMate 3 LVAD.

Organ Donation After Euthanasia in Patients Suffering From Psychiatric Disorders: 10-Years of Preliminary Experiences in the Netherlands

Euthanasia based on psychiatric suffering, followed by subsequent organ donation, is considered medically and legally permissible in the Netherlands. Although organ donation after euthanasia (ODE) in patients suffering from unbearable psychiatric illness is performed, it is not specifically addressed in the Dutch guideline on organ donation after euthanasia, and national data on ODE in psychiatric patients have not yet been published. In this article, the preliminary results of the 10-year Dutch case series of psychiatric patients who choose ODE are presented and potential factors influencing opportunities for donation in this population are discussed. We conclude that further future in-depth qualitative exploration of ODE in patients suffering from psychiatric illness and its associated ethical and practical dilemmas, including the consequences for the patient and their family and healthcare professionals, will be important to help make sense of potential barriers to donation for people undergoing euthanasia as a result of psychiatric suffering.

The first experience with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor for the treatment of systemic right ventricular failure

In congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, the morphological right ventricle supports the systemic circulation. This chronic exposure to pressure overload ultimately leads to systemic right ventricular (sRV) dysfunction and heart failure. Pharmacological options for the treatment of sRV failure are poorly defined and no solid recommendations are made in the most recent guidelines. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are a new class of antihyperglycaemic drugs that have been demonstrated to significantly reduce the risk of worsening heart failure and death from cardiovascular causes in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, yet no data are available in sRV patients. We report on the treatment and clinical follow-up of a patient with advanced heart failure and poor sRV function in the context of congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, who did not tolerate sacubitril/valsartan and had a high burden of heart-failure-related hospitalizations. Treatment with dapagliflozin was well tolerated and resulted in (small) subjective and objective functional and echocardiographic improvement and a reduction in heart-failure-related hospitalizations.

Normothermic Ex Situ Heart Perfusion With the Organ Care System for Cardiac Transplantation: A Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Heart transplantation (HTx) is, at present, the most effective therapy for end-stage heart failure patients; however, the number of patients on the waiting list is rising globally, further increasing the gap between demand and supply of donors for HTx. First studies using the Organ Care System (OCS) for normothermic machine perfusion show promising results yet are limited in sample size. This article presents a meta-analysis of heart donation either after brain death (OCS-DBD) or circulatory death (OCS-DCD) on using OCS versus static cold storage used for HTx.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed for articles discussing the use of normothermic ex situ heart perfusion in adult patients. Thirty-day survival outcomes were pooled, and odds ratios were calculated using random-effects models. Long-term survival was visualized with Kaplan-Meier curves, hazard ratios were calculated and pooled using fixed-effects models, and secondary outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies were included, with 741 patients undergoing HTx, of which 260 with the OCS (173 DBD and 87 DCD). No differences were found between the 3 groups for early and late survival outcomes or for secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

OCS outcomes, for both DBD and DCD hearts, appeared similar as for static cold storage. Therefore, OCS is a safe and effective technique to enlarge the cardiac donor pool in both DBD and DCD, with additional benefits for long-distance transport and surgically complex procedures.

Atrioventricular Block Necessitating Chronic Ventricular Pacing After Tricuspid Valve Surgery in Patients With a Systemic Right Ventricle: Long-Term Follow-Up

Background

Patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) after an atrial switch or congenitally corrected TGA (ccTGA) are prone to systemic right ventricular (sRV) failure. Tricuspid valve (TV) regurgitation aggravates sRV dysfunction. Timely TV surgery stabilizes sRV function, yet the development of atrioventricular (AV)-conduction disturbances in the course of sRV failure can contribute to sRV dysfunction through pacing-induced dyssynchrony. This study aims to explore the incidence, timing, and functional consequences of AV-block requiring ventricular pacing after TV surgery in patients with sRV.

Methods

Consecutive adolescent and adult patients with an sRV who underwent TV surgery between 1989 and 2020 and followed-up at our center were included in this observational cohort study.

Results

The data of 28 patients (53% female, 57% ccTGA, and a mean age at surgery 38 ± 13 years) were analyzed. The mean follow-up was 9.7 ± 6.8 years. Of the remaining 22 patients at the risk of developing high degree AV-block after TV surgery, 9 (41%) developed an indication for chronic ventricular pacing during follow-up, of which 5 (56%) within 24 months postoperatively (3 prior to hospital discharge). The QRS duration, a surrogate marker for dyssynchrony, was significantly higher in patients with chronic left ventricular pacing than in patients with native AV-conduction (217 ± 24 vs. 116 ± 23 ms, p = 0.000), as was the heart failure biomarker NT-pro-BNP [2,746 (1,242-6,879) vs. 495 (355-690) ng/L, p = 0.004] and the percentage of patients with ≥1 echocardiographic class of deterioration of systolic sRV function (27 vs. 83%, p = 0.001). Of the patients receiving chronic subpulmonary ventricular pacing (n = 12), 9 (75%) reached the composite endpoint of progressive heart failure [death, ventricular assist device implantation, or upgrade to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)]. Only 4 (31%) patients with native AV-conduction (n = 13) reached this composite endpoint (p = 0.027).

Conclusion

Patients with a failing sRV who undergo TV surgery are prone to develop AV-conduction abnormalities, with 41% developing an indication for chronic ventricular pacing during 10 years of follow-up. Patients with chronic subpulmonary ventricular pacing have a significantly longer QRS complex duration, have higher levels of the heart failure biomarker NT-pro-BNP, and are at a higher risk of deterioration of systolic sRV function and progressive heart failure.

Case report of the broad spectrum of late complications in an adult patient with univentricular physiology palliated by the Fontan circulation

Background

At the most severe end of the spectrum of congenital heart disease are patients with an univentricular physiology. They comprise a heterogeneous group of congenital heart malformations that have the common characteristic that the cardiac morphology is not equipped for sustaining a biventricular circulation.

Case summary

Here, we present a case of an adult patient after Fontan palliation, illustrative of the complex clinical course and the broad spectrum of complications that can be encountered during follow-up, highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary approach in the clinical care for these patients.

Discussion

During the surgical Fontan procedure, the inferior vena cava is connected to the pulmonary circulation, after prior connection of the superior vena cava to the pulmonary arterial circulation. The resulting cavopulmonary connection, thus lacking a subpulmonic ventricle, provides non-pulsatile passive flow of oxygen-poor blood from the systemic venous circulation into the lungs, and the functional monoventricle pumps the oxygen-rich pulmonary venous return blood into the aorta. With an operative mortality of <5% and current 30-year survival rates up to 85%, the adult population of patients with a Fontan circulation is growing. This increase in survival is, however, inevitably accompanied by long-term complications affecting multiple organ systems, resulting in decline in cardiovascular performance.

Conclusion

For optimal treatment, the evaluation in a multidisciplinary team is mandatory, using the specific expertise of the team members to timely detect and address late complications and to support quality of life.

Significance of right ventricular function for the outcome of treatment and remodeling of the heart after left ventricular assist device implantation

The efficiency of the device for permanent circulatory support of the left ventricle has been proven through clinical practice with the trend of constant improvement of treatment results along with biotechnological progress and improvement of surgical implantation techniques. The published reports of most reference cardiac surgery centers present a one-year survival rate of over 85%, a two-year survival rate of 70% and a five-year survival rate of 45-50%. In addition to clear benefits for the patient, implantation of LVAD also carries significant specific risks, so infections, post-implantation bleeding, strokes, and right ventricular postimplantation weakness are the most common complications. Given that the progress of the LVAD program is ensured primarily by reducing the incidence of complications not related to the functioning of individual segments of the cardiovascular system, and as left ventricular function is completely replaced by LVAD device, the most recent challenge is the decision to install LVAD device in the heart with right ventricular, given that the postimplantation weakness of right ventricular is associated with proven increased mortality and morbidity. Since the 1990s, studies on hearts with implanted LVAD as a bridge to heart transplantation have shown regression of cell hypertrophy, normalization of cell size, muscle fiber architecture, and heart chamber geometry. The described changes are characterized by the notion of reverse remodeling, which is synonymous with function recovery. It is this process at the level of the right ventricle that is recognized as extremely important for the success of LVAD programs, especially in the group of patients who have a certain degree of right ventricular weakness preoperatively. The basic requirements of the cardiac surgery team are adequate preoperative assessment of right ventricular weakness, then application of measures to prevent damage and load on the right ventricle during and after LVAD implantation, as well as providing adequate therapeutic measures for right ventricular recovery in the postimplantation period.

Hopes and Hurdles of Employing Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in the Treatment of Cardiac Fibrosis

Excessive cardiac fibrosis plays a crucial role in almost all types of heart disease. Generally, cardiac fibrosis is a scarring process triggered in response to stress, injury, or aging and is characterized by the accumulation of activated myofibroblasts that deposit high levels of extracellular matrix proteins in the myocardium. While it is beneficial for cardiac repair in the short term, it can also result in pathological remodeling, tissue stiffening, and cardiac dysfunction, contributing to the progression of heart failure, arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death. Despite its high prevalence, there is a lack of effective and safe therapies that specifically target myofibroblasts to inhibit or even reverse pathological cardiac fibrosis. In the past few decades, cell therapy has been under continuous evaluation as a potential treatment strategy, and several studies have shown that transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can reduce cardiac fibrosis and improve heart function. Mechanistically, it is believed that the heart benefits from MSC therapy by stimulating innate anti-fibrotic and regenerative reactions. The mechanisms of action include paracrine signaling and cell-to-cell interactions. In this review, we provide an overview of the anti-fibrotic properties of MSCs and approaches to enhance them and discuss future directions of MSCs for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis.

Renal Delivery of Pharmacologic Agents During Machine Perfusion to Prevent Ischaemia-Reperfusion Injury: From Murine Model to Clinical Trials

Donor organ shortage still remains a serious obstacle for the access of wait-list patients to kidney transplantation, the best treatment for End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD). To expand the number of transplants, the use of lower quality organs from older ECD or DCD donors has become an established routine but at the price of increased incidence of Primary Non-Function, Delay Graft Function and lower-long term graft survival. In the last years, several improvements have been made in the field of renal transplantation from surgical procedure to preservation strategies. To improve renal outcomes, research has focused on development of innovative and dynamic preservation techniques, in order to assess graft function and promote regeneration by pharmacological intervention before transplantation. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of these new preservation strategies by machine perfusions and pharmacological interventions at different timing possibilities: in the organ donor, ex-vivo during perfusion machine reconditioning or after implementation in the recipient. We will report therapies as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, senolytics agents, complement inhibitors, HDL, siRNA and H2S supplementation. Renal delivery of pharmacologic agents during preservation state provides a window of opportunity to treat the organ in an isolated manner and a crucial route of administration. Even if few studies have been reported of transplantation after ex-vivo drugs administration, targeting the biological pathway associated to kidney failure (i.e. oxidative stress, complement system, fibrosis) might be a promising therapeutic strategy to improve the quality of various donor organs and expand organ availability.