INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana University Health is trying out new technology that can keep hearts used in transplants alive longer.
The device is called “Heart in a Box,” and it keeps the donors blood continuously pumping through a donor's heart while it’s being transported.
It could mean the difference between life and death for transplant patients, because the heart has a limited time it can be outside the body, not pumping blood, before it becomes unviable.
Steve Gilland was the first IU Health patient to receive a heart transplant through the “Heart in a Box” trial.
While it’s still early in the process, it’s been three weeks since Gilland’s operation, and he said he feels the difference.
“I feel great,” said Gilliland. “I’m still early in the process, but I can already tell you the gasping and day to day uncomfortable of something not being right is gone.”
Indiana University Health is one of eight health care systems taking part in the trial and the only one in Indiana.
