Heart transplantation

The video shows an orthotopic heart transplantation using the “bicaval technique“. It begins with the harvesting of the donor heart (frequently at a remote site, as in the video). Another surgeon stays with the patient to prepare him for the transplant (opening the chest and installation of cardiopulmonary bypass). Coordination between the two surgical teams (logistics, transportation, anesthesia and incision) must be perfect in order to minimize the duration of ischemia (time between removal and implantati