Evolution of the Texas Heart Institute Distant Organ Procurement Program.

Between August and December 1983, the Texas Heart Institute Transplantation Service performed 10 cardiac transplants. All hearts were removed at outside hospitals and transported to the Heart Institute. Adequate return of cardiac function occurred in all groups after ischemic times of 58.5 minutes for hearts procured within Houston (range, 56-62 minutes) and 152 minutes for those procured in other cities (range, 130-179 minutes). Eight of the transplant patients are alive and well following operation. Distal procurement has more than doubled the number of suitable organs, and offers considerable potential for expansion of the transplant program.