Liver transplantation from controlled non-heart-beating donors

Background. The use of organs from non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs) has bee n proposed as one way to increase the donor pool. However; few centers have transplanted livers from NHBDs. We report here the results of 19 liver tra nsplants from controlled NHBDs. Methods. From January 1993 through August 1999, 364 liver transplantations were performed from heart-beating donors (HBDs) and 19 liver transplantatio ns were performed from NHBDs. Donor and recipient characteristics, posttran splant complications, and patient and allograft survival were compared. Results. No differences in hepatic artery, portal vein, or biliary complica tions were noted between the groups. However, the rate of primary nonfuncti on was higher in recipients of liver-from NHBDs (10.5% vs 1.3%; P =.04). No difference in patient survival was seen between recipients of NHBDs or HBD s (72.6% vs 84.8%; P =.36); however, allograft survival was lower in recipi ents who received livers from NHBDs (53.8% vs 80.9%; P =.007). Conclusions. Liver transplantation from controlled NHBDs results in similar patient survival and posttransplant complications. However; primary nonfun ction was higher and allograft survival was less in recipients of livers fr om NHBDs. The results of liver transplantation from controlled NHBDs are en couraging and should continue to be cautiously pursued as one way to help a lleviate the current shortage of donor livers.