Cardiovascular tissue banking in Europe

INTRODUCTION: In the past 50 years, human cardiovascular tissue allografts, also called homografts, have been implanted into patients with different valvular diseases. The use of these allografts and the number of cardiovascular tissue banks and their respective techniques increased. We conducted a survey to establish the quantity of allografts processed, and issued by, European tissue banks. The survey also included the collection of other relevant statistics. METHODS: In 2011, the Foundation of European Tissue Banks collected data from 19 different cardiovascular tissue banks in 11 European countries. RESULTS: From 2007 to 2010 the data show a decrease in the number of hearts received, from 1700 to 1640 in 18 tissue banks; the average number of hearts received for cardiovascular tissue processing decreased from 113 to 91. The number of heart valves issued for transplantation increased from 1272 in 2007 to 1486 in 2010. The average rate of discard because of microbiological contamination was 20.7%, while 4.2% of the grafts were not used because of positive serology. Half of the tissue banks issued arterial grafts, while 3 banks also issued veins and pericardium. An overview of decontamination methods shows considerable methodological differencesbetween 17 cardiovascular tissue banks. CONCLUSIONS: From the experience in Europe, it can be concluded that cardiovascular tissue banks have an established place in the domain of cardiovascular surgery. The statistics show fluctuating data concerning the demand for human cardiovascular allografts and methodological questions. There is room for growth and improvement with respect to validation of decontamination methods.