Scientists in Australia say they've come up with a new way to almost double the life of donor hearts being transported for surgery.
Researchers say a new combination of drugs has extended the time a heart can be transported from five hours to 14 hours.
The Sydney-based scientists say they've successfully trialled the technique in pigs of a similar weight to humans.
They say the longer a heart exists outside its recipient, the more it deteriorates, increasing the risks of transplantation.
Organ Donation New Zealand says hearts are transported to and from Australia, but only those from young, fit donors meet the current criteria because of the time involved.
