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CryoLife, a laboratory which specializes in the cryopreservation of human tissues for transplant, first started preserving valves in Autumn 1984. The hearts which arrive at CryoLife are currently procured by 144 independent organ and tissue procurement agencies in the United States, Canada and West Germany. This procured tissue is preserved by CryoLife as a service to those agencies or doctors to whom the tissue has been assigned. In order to assure consistent quality control, all agencies follow the guidelines printed in the CryoLife (3) heart valve procurement protocol. The protocol provides information for screening for infectious diseases and diseases of the heart which would render the tissue less than ideal. For instance, when the required serum sample is returned by the procuring group, tests are performed for HIV (AIDS), hepatitis, syphilis and CMV (cytomegalovirus). These internal tests are compared with pretest data which accompanies the organ and are used as a double check to confirm that the possibility of transmission of these diseases is eliminated. The donor form also contains a detailed medical history of the donor, which helps eliminate donors of questionable standards or with a history of cardiac complications. The protocol also contains the precise details for the surgical extraction of the heart so that uniformity amongst participating centres is maintained. |
