Where does a donor heart come from?

Your new heart must come from someone who has been declared brain dead and whose family agrees to donate the organs. It is an anonymous gift. Brain death is a permanent condition usually due to a head injury from a car accident, gunshot wound, or a hemorrhage into the brain (like a stroke). It means that although the body is being kept alive by machines, the brain has no signs of life. Brain death is diagnosed by many different tests and is confirmed by two doctors who are not involved with the donor’s care.

The donor’s heart continues to beat independently and may be supported by intravenous medications in an intensive care unit (ICU). Breathing and respirations are maintained by a mechanical ventilator. Then, the donor is evaluated to determine if the organs are suitable for transplantation. The donor undergoes blood work similar to your pretransplant evaluation. Extensive predonation cardiac testing on the donor heart is also performed, such as an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and possibly a coronary angiogram and heart catheterization. These tests are done to ensure that the donor heart is suitable for transplantation.

All this information is then entered into the UNOS computerized waiting list. This waiting list ensures equal access and fair distribution of organs when they become available. When a heart becomes available, it is given to the best possible match, based on strict established criteria (blood type, body size, UNOS status, and length of time on the waiting list). The race and gender of the donor have no bearing on the match.

Many people who are waiting for transplantation have mixed feelings because they are aware that someone must die before an organ becomes available. It may help to know that many donor families feel a sense of peace knowing that some good has come from their loved one’s tragic death.