Welcome to Cardiology Today – Recorded November 02, 2025. This episode summarizes 5 key cardiology studies on topics like donation after circulatory death and temperature dynamics. Key takeaway: N.R.P. for D.C.D. Hearts: 200 Cases Validate Method. Article Links: Article 1: Plasma-supplemented red cell concentrates as alternatives to whole blood in porcine ex vivo heart perfusion. (The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation) Article 2: Two hundred cases of cardiac donation after circulatory death utilizing normothermic regional perfusion: The 4-year Vanderbilt experience. (The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation) Article 3: Impact of right ventricular reserve function during exercise on aortic valve opening in patients with left ventricular assist device. (The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation) Article 4: Temperature dynamics of donor lungs from procurement to reperfusion: Static ice versus controlled hypothermic storage. (The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation) Article 5: Risk assessment models and survival in pulmonary arterial hypertension: A SPAHR analysis. (The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation) Full episode page: https://podcast.explainheart.com/podcast/n-r-p-for-d-c-d-hearts-200-cases-validate-method-11-02-25/ Featured Articles Article 1: Plasma-supplemented red cell concentrates as alternatives to whole blood in porcine ex vivo heart perfusion. Journal: The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40490145 Summary: This study investigated alternatives to autologous whole blood for ex vivo heart perfusion, a technique aiming to expand the organ donor pool but facing logistical hurdles. Researchers compared red cell concentrate and rejuvenated red cell concentrate based perfusates against whole blood during a four-hour porcine ex vivo heart perfusion model. The study successfully assessed the impact of various perfusates on blood quality and myocardial function, establishing that plasma-supplemented red cell concentrates offer viable alternatives to whole blood. This advancement enhances the functional and logistical feasibility of ex vivo organ perfusion, which could increase donor heart availability. Article 2: Two hundred cases of cardiac donation after circulatory death utilizing normothermic regional perfusion: The 4-year Vanderbilt experience. Journal: The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40456427 Summary: This study presents a four-year, single high-volume center’s experience with 200 cases of cardiac donation after circulatory death heart recovery using normothermic regional perfusion. Researchers retrospectively reviewed adult patients receiving cardiac allografts recovered via thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion at Vanderbilt from October 2020 to November 2024. The study successfully documented the program’s evolution, establishing the feasibility and scalability of normothermic regional perfusion in a large cohort. This comprehensive experience offers crucial insights for standardizing practice and increasing the donor heart pool by validating this method for cardiac transplantation. Article 3: Impact of right ventricular reserve function during exercise on aortic valve opening in patients with left ventricular assist device. Journal: The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the offici