Theresa A. Gelzinis, MD, Professor and Co-Chair of the Residency Curriculum Committee in our department, has been appointed to serve as Co-Chair of the Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP) Task Force of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT).
The utilization of donation after circulatory death (DCD) is a vital strategy to expand the organ donor pool. NRP plays a crucial role in the organ recovery process from DCD donors, making it a focal point of research and innovation. As a globally recognized and multidisciplinary organization, ISHLT is uniquely positioned to lead the way in advancing NRP research.
The task force has been officially inaugurated with the primary objective of crafting and disseminating an international, multidisciplinary statement. This statement aims to encapsulate the best available evidence and practices related to NRP, delineating key issues, concerns, threats, opportunities, and areas earmarked for future research on behalf of ISHLT.
Anticipated to conclude its work by January 2025, the task force is committed to delivering a comprehensive NRP statement. This statement is destined for publication in The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation (JHLT), further solidifying ISHLT's commitment to advancing knowledge and practices in the field. Dr. Gelzinis's appointment as Co-Chair underscores her expertise and leadership in the realm of heart and lung transplantation research, promising a substantial contribution to the ongoing progress in NRP studies.