NRP at the Heart of DCD: Challenges and Opportunities
13 January, 2026 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT
This webinar provides a comprehensive overview of emerging practices, outcomes, and ethical considerations surrounding the use of normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) in donation after circulatory death (DCD) heart transplantation. Expert faculty compare current DCD recovery pathways, highlighting the technical workflow and growing adoption of NRP. Evidence from institutional and registry data is reviewed to contextualize NRP outcomes relative to both direct procurement and traditional DBD transplantation. The session also explores the ethical dimensions of NRP—including debates on reestablishing circulation, regulatory variation, and communication with donor families—offering practical guidance for transparent and ethically grounded program development. Together, these presentations provide participants with a clear, balanced understanding of the clinical, scientific, and moral considerations shaping the future of DCD heart transplantation.
Presentations
Click any of the drop downs below to learn more about the specific talks being presented as part of this webinar.
This presentation will review current DCD heart recovery pathways by comparing direct procurement with normothermic regional perfusion (NRP), outlining why centers are increasingly adopting NRP. It will include a detailed walkthrough of the NRP technical workflow—from circuit setup to in situ reperfusion and assessment—and examine how preservation and transport strategies differ when NRP is used. The session will also frame NRP as more than simply an alternative option, highlighting the clinical and operational factors driving its growing momentum in DCD programs.
Led by Moderators
This presentation will examine the outcomes of DCD versus DBD heart transplantation, focusing on differences in rejection, coronary allograft vasculopathy, primary graft dysfunction, and conduction abnormalities. It will place additional emphasis on outcomes within DCD programs by comparing direct procurement with NRP, drawing on institutional experiences and emerging registry data to highlight survival, graft function, and complication patterns specific to NRP hearts. The session will also explore hypotheses for why NRP outcomes may differ—such as the effects of warm ischemia and graft reanimation—providing context for the growing clinical interest in this approach.
Led by Moderators
This session will explore the ethical considerations involved in developing a DCD heart donation program, with particular attention to the unique debates surrounding NRP. It will address key concerns such as reestablishing circulation after declaration of death, distinctions between regional and systemic reperfusion, and how varying regulations across countries shape ethical decision-making. The presentation will also focus on best practices for communicating about NRP with donor families and transplant recipients, emphasizing the importance of clarity, transparency, and trust in fostering understanding and support.
Led by Moderators