Current Organ and Tissue Research Needs

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular system tissues encompass heart, pericardium, arteries and veins. Researchers use these tissues for investigations that could lead to better ways to diagnose or treat such disorders as congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, and muscular dystrophy. Investigators are currently using donated hearts and cardiovascular tissues to:

• Research minimally invasive treatments for heart attacks;
• Uncover the molecular and cellular changes that underlie congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and other heart disorders;
• Test drugs that might prolong and enhance the lives of patients with congestive heart failure;
• Study the effects of estrogen on atherosclerosis;
• Develop noninvasive techniques for identifying atherosclerotic plaque;
• Develop heart cell cultures to repair damage to the heart after a heart attack, and;
• Develop new drugs to prevent inflammation.

NDRI will place the following cardiovascular tissues with researchers:

Whole hearts or heart sections from adult donors of any age, including those that have diabetes, atherosclerosis, or cardiomyopathy. Researchers need at least 5 grams of heart tissue, which should be shipped fresh, frozen or snap frozen.

Arteries from donors up to age 80 years, including those with diabetes, or atherosclerosis. Researchers require a minimum of 3 cm of an artery and will also accept whole arteries, which can be shipped fresh, frozen, snap frozen or fixed.

Veins from donors between 20 and 100 years of age, including those with atherosclerosis. Veins should be at least 4 cm long, and should be sent frozen or snap frozen.

NDRI usually cannot accept tissue from a donor that had an infectious disease, such as hepatitis.