The study of cardiovascular tissue processing in the United Kingdom

Abstract

The study of United Kingdom cardiovascular tissue banking practice has required research into areas of cardiovascular tissue banking that have previously not been clarified, explored in detail or reported. The pressures which have been the driving forces for change in tissue banking in recent years have been identified and the National shortage of cardiovascular tissue donors in relation to the increasing surgical demand has been quantified for the first time in the UK. An examination of the evolution of cardiovascular tissue banking enabled subsequent identification of the inconsistencies reported and the importance of recording small differences in processing details. A detailed overview of current UK cardiovascular tissue processing methodology was collated which, for the first time, established the differences in current practice. The study subsequently identified tissue bankers concerns. The study has identified areas where there may be a need for control, standardisation and improvement of methodology and has highlighted areas where it seems to be agreed that there is need for optimisation of processing technique. The study has also uncovered areas where there is a lack of understanding amongst tissue bankers regarding cryopreservation principles such as freezing and chilling injury and also confirmed the need for more careful control and measurement of techniques used such as cooling and warming rates which may or may not affect the quality of the tissue processed. The study confirmed that processing techniques were generally empirically based but despite this, the processed tissue seems to be effective. Further work has been suggested which includes recommendations for methods which could be used to monitoring tissue quality and subsequently for harmonisation of tissue banking procedures.