Donor Hearts May Work Better if Stored Slightly Warmer

A study published in Circulation: Heart Failure suggests that storing donor hearts at slightly higher temperatures, specifically 10°C, may lead to better early graft function compared to the traditional 4-8°C storage method. Researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center analyzed data from 2020 to 2025 and found that transplant recipients who received hearts preserved at 10°C experienced less primary graft dysfunction, less left and right ventricular dysfunction, reduced use of intra-aortic balloon pumps, and improved 1-year survival rates.

Despite higher risk features in the 10°C-preserved transplants, the study indicates that 10°C preservation may provide better myocardial tolerance to ischemia and other insults. However, the authors acknowledge the need for additional studies to confirm these findings and determine the optimal donor heart preservation temperature.