UK doctors pioneer use of 'heart in a box' transplant technique in children

Procedure previously deemed suitable only for adults saved the lives of six young patients last year

NHS doctors have pioneered the use of a dead" heart transplant technique - previously deemed suitable only for adults - in children, saving the lives of six young patients last year.

Surgeons typically use for transplants hearts donated by patients who are declared brain stem dead but whose hearts are still beating. Retrieving the hearts of patients who have suffered cardiac death (which are far more common than brain stem deaths) is considered too risky a prospect.