heart transplant

February 11, 2026

Heart preservation technique increases pool of organs available for transplant

The technique, termed REUP (rapid recovery with extended ultraoxygenated preservation), avoids traditional methods that reanimate the heart within or outside the donor’s body.

By Matt Batcheldor
A standard heart transplant requires surgical many types of instruments. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
January 21, 2026

New donor organ storage method helps reduce rates of severe primary graft dysfunction

Methods such as the cold storage system make it possible to preserve organs for longer after donation, expanding the pool of available organs.

By Matt Batcheldor
Members of the transplant team pose for a photo after surpassing 200 adult and pediatric heart transplants. (photo courtesy of Ashish Shah)
December 23, 2025

Vanderbilt Health performs record number of adult and pediatric heart transplants during 2025

As in prior years, the success of Vanderbilt Health’s transplant program is a testament to the greatness of individuals and innovations alike and to the tremendous power of teamwork.

By Matt Batcheldor
July 17, 2025

New organ recovery technique could make more heart transplants available

The method, rapid recovery with extended ultra-oxygenated preservation, involves flushing the donor heart with a cold oxygenated preservation solution after death.

By Matt Batcheldor
Heart transplant patient Scot Pollard and his wife, Dawn. (photo by Donn Jones)
June 6, 2025

ESPN documentary chronicles former NBA player and VUMC heart transplant patient Scot Pollard’s journey

As a world leader in advanced cardiac care and organ transplantation, VUMC is committed to raising awareness and educating the public about the lifesaving impact of organ donation.

By Kylie Avery
Patient Van Sung with her parents, Nathan and Rem Kumthar. (photo by Susan Urmy)
May 28, 2025

Medical team uses nontraditional therapy to help give young patient a chance at making it to heart transplant

The team used an Impella, a catheter-based miniature ventricular assist device. It offered the best chance of getting rising eighth-grader Van Sung to transplant.

By Jessica Pasley
May 1, 2025

Team from the Philippines visits to observe heart and lung transplant programs

The delegation is planning to establish a new heart transplant program in the Philippines, serving a population of 115 million people.
By Matt Batcheldor
February 25, 2025

Gatlin Winter was in the hospital recovering from a heart transplant. His wife Ashlynn was in labor with their first baby. Could he get to her side?

With the help of the team from Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital, yes he could.
By Matt Batcheldor
February 18, 2025

Scot Pollard’s journey took him from the NBA to the heart transplant waitlist

At 6 feet, 11 inches, he played in the NBA for 11 years on five different teams before retiring in 2008 and never had any heart issues that slowed him down.
By Matt Batcheldor
February 11, 2025

Vanderbilt Transplant Center reaches new heights in 2024, now the nation’s third busiest 

Through dramatic growth, the VTC is now the nation’s third busiest transplant center by volume, saving 136 more critically ill patients in calendar year 2024 than in 2023.
By Matt Batcheldor
January 31, 2025

How many surgical instruments are used to set the 2024 heart transplant world record?

A standard heart transplant requires surgical instruments spread across multiple sterile tables — from tiny vascular clamps to hefty retractors to keep the surgical field open.
By Holly Fletcher and Erin O. Smith
January 13, 2025

Vanderbilt Transplant Center sets world record for heart transplants in 2024

The Vanderbilt Transplant Center had a banner year in 2024. The number of patients whose lives were saved by Vanderbilt’s heart transplant team far surpasses any previous total by an individual transplant center. 
By Matt Batcheldor
January 6, 2025

Heart transplant program reaches new landmark

The recipient of the 2,000th transplant was Wes Carter, 37, a real estate agent from Pensacola, Florida, who first noticed an irregular heart rhythm in his mid-20s.
By Matt Batcheldor
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