Vanderbilt University Medical Center

New Capabilities

As of May 2026: Developed and tested the REUP technique

For decades, donated hearts had to reach recipients within four hours, and only brain-dead donors qualified. Vanderbilt researchers' REUP technique—a flush of oxygenated blood, del Nido cardioplegia solution, and cardioprotective additives—can preserve hearts from donors after circulatory death for eight hours, with outcomes matching or exceeding existing methods, all at $2,000 per transplant instead of $65,000.

Updated May 31