Doctors at Stanford University have developed an innovative AI tool that could cut wasted efforts in organ transplantation by 60%. With thousands of patients waiting for donations, the tool specifically addresses challenges with liver transplants from donors after cardiac arrest. In these cases, transplants are often canceled if donors do not die within 45 minutes post-life support. The AI model outperformed leading surgeons by accurately predicting donor viability using neurological, respiratory, and circulatory data from over 2,000 donors across various U.S. transplant centers. By identifying suitable donors more efficiently, this tool reduces futile procurements, alleviating financial and operational strains on healthcare systems. Published in Lancet Digital Health, the study demonstrates the potential of advanced AI techniques to optimize organ utilization, with plans to adapt the model for heart and lung transplants. This breakthrough could significantly improve transplant outcomes, allowing more candidates to receive life-saving organs.
