Donor Heart Preservation: Extending Availability
- A new study by Mayo Clinic researchers reveals that a readily available drug could significantly improve the viability of donor hearts for transplant.
- Heart transplantation remains the moast effective treatment for end-stage heart failure.
- Researchers focused on the mineralocorticoid receptor,a protein within heart cells that responds to stress.
Groundbreaking research reveals a common drug, canrenone, could revolutionize how we handle and extend the viability of donor hearts for transplant. Mayo Clinic scientists discovered canrenone prevents damage too donor hearts during cold storage, a key factor impacting transplant success. This discovery could vastly increase the availability of life-saving heart transplants by extending the safe storage period for donor hearts. The study’s findings, published in *Nature Cardiovascular Research*, underscore the critical importance of heart transplant research and has broad implications. By understanding and addressing cell damage during cold storage, this study paves the way for better outcomes and expanded organ transplant opportunities. News Directory 3 is keeping you updated on the latest developments in this pivotal area. Curious about how this drug might impact other organ transplants? Discover what’s next …
Common Drug Could Boost Donor Heart Transplant Viability
Updated May 31, 2025
A new study by Mayo Clinic researchers reveals that a readily available drug could significantly improve the viability of donor hearts for transplant. The findings,published in Nature Cardiovascular Research,identify a biological process that contributes to donor heart injury during cold storage. The team,led by cardiac surgeon Dr. Paul Tang, discovered that canrenone, a drug already used for heart conditions, can prevent this damage, potentially increasing the number of successful heart transplants.
Heart transplantation remains the moast effective treatment for end-stage heart failure. However, less than half of available donor hearts are used, largely due to the limited time frame for successful transplantation. Prolonged cold storage can lead to deterioration, impacting the heart’s ability to function after the procedure.
Researchers focused on the mineralocorticoid receptor,a protein within heart cells that responds to stress. They found that during cold storage, this protein clumps together, harming the cells through a process called liquid-liquid phase separation. This leads to inflammation and cell death, reducing the likelihood of the heart functioning well post-transplant. The study highlights the importance of understanding the causes of donor heart deterioration and finding ways to improve donor heart preservation.
The team tested whether canrenone, which blocks mineralocorticoid receptor activity, could prevent this damage. Human donor hearts treated with the drug showed nearly triple the pumping strength compared to untreated hearts stored for a similar duration. Treated hearts also exhibited better blood flow and fewer signs of cell injury. This suggests that canrenone could extend the safe storage period for donor hearts, improving transplant outcomes and increasing access to heart transplant for patients.
“As a cardiovascular surgeon, I’ve seen how every additional hour of preservation can impact the likelihood of whether a donor heart can return to normal function after transplantation,” Dr. Tang said. “this finding may give us a new tool to preserve heart function for longer during storage, improve transplant outcomes and enhance patient access to lifesaving transplants.”
The study’s implications extend beyond heart transplants. Researchers observed similar protein clustering in donor kidneys, lungs, and livers during cold storage, suggesting that the same strategy may improve preservation across multiple organ systems, expanding organ transplant options.
What’s next
Further research will explore the application of canrenone in preserving other organs and optimizing its use in clinical settings to maximize the number of viable organs for transplantation.