For people who have heart failure at its most advanced stage, a heart transplant is the most effective treatment. However, there is a chronic shortage of hearts available for transplant.
A technology called a portable normothermic cardiac perfusion system may expand which donors are eligible to donate hearts, making more available.
This health technology assessment looked at the safety and effectiveness of this new technology for transporting hearts donated after cardiocirculatory death (when the donor’s heart has stopped beating and there is no longer blood flow or a pulse). The report considers whether the technology is cost-effective, the budget impact of publicly funding the technology, as well as the experiences, preferences and values of people waiting for a heart transplant, people who have received one, and family members of organ donors.
Read the full Health Technology Assessment report for more information.
The Ministry of Health has accepted this recommendation.
The Ministry of Health has provided the following response: The Ministry has a standardized process in place to review health technology assessments and funding recommendations. This takes into consideration Ministry priorities, implementation options, the need for consultation with impacted stakeholders, and funding considerations.