A New Era in Transplantation: UTHealth Houston’s Heart Transplant Surgeons Utilize the Only FDA Approved Technology for Organ Transplantation Indication
We are proud to announce an exciting achievement at UTHealth Houston and Memorial Hermann. Manish Patel, MD, associate chief of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery and Ismael Salas de Armas, MD, associate professor of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, have recently performed the first TransMedics OCS™ Heart procedure within our institutions at the Texas Medical Center location.
The TransMedics OCS™ Heart technology, sanctioned by the FDA, heralds a new era in extracorporeal perfusion and organ preservation. This innovative system acts as a portable perfusion and monitoring platform, maintaining a donor heart in a state akin to a living organism. By closely monitoring crucial heart parameters in real time, this technology empowers physicians to assess the viability of a potential donor heart, revolutionizing the landscape of transplantation medicine.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this technology is its portability. The ability to transport donor hearts across farther distances is a game-changer for expanding the donor pool. With this new technology, our medical teams can travel greater distances to retrieve donor organs, significantly broadening the reach of our transplant program and increasing the likelihood of finding suitable donor organs. This achievement holds immense promise for patients in need, allowing us to tap into previously untapped resources and save more lives than ever before.
Dr. Patel’s leadership in procuring and implementing this cutting-edge technology highlights our commitment to pushing the boundaries of medical innovation. This advancement holds immense promise for the future of organ transplantation, offering renewed hope and enhanced opportunities for patients in need.
We extend heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Manish Patel, Dr. Salas de Armas, and the entire heart transplantation team for their pioneering spirit and dedication. As we celebrate this monumental stride, we eagerly anticipate the transformative impact it will have on the field of organ transplantation.