ISMETT-UPMC: First Heart Transplant from a Donor after Cardiac Death in Sicily

For the first time in Sicily, a heart transplant from a donor after circulatory death (DCD controlled – Donation after Circulatory Death) has been successfully performed. This highly complex procedure, currently available in only a few specialized centers in Italy, marks a significant milestone for Sicilian healthcare. The operation was made possible thanks to the collaboration between ARNAS Civico, the Sicilian Regional Transplant Center (CRT) and IRCCS ISMETT-UPMC.

The donor, hospitalized in the Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit of ARNAS Civico Di Cristina Benfratelli in Palermo, had suffered an irreversible brain injury. In accordance with DCD protocols, the patient was transferred to ISMETT-UPMC, where extracorporeal circulation (ECMO) was initiated prior to organ retrieval. The entire process was coordinated by CRT.

Heart transplantation from a donor after circulatory death among the most delicate and challenging procedures in transplant medicine. Cardiac arrest causes a period of ischemia, during which the heart does not receive oxygen, increasing the risk of irreversible damage. The use of ECMO during the retrieval phase is therefore crucial, requiring advanced expertise, seamless teamwork, and highly sophisticated clinical management.

“This achievement was made possible by the generosity of the donor’s family and the outstanding skills of our professionals. The close collaboration between our two institutions was key,” stated the executive teams of ARNAS Civico and ISMETT-UPMC.

The patient who received the transplant at ISMETT-UPMC has been discharged and is in good clinical condition.

Read the full press release: First heart transplant in Sicily from non-beating heart donor