How long can organs and tissues survive before transplanted?
Organs may be transported hundreds or thousands of miles to reach recipients waiting in transplant centers, thanks to advances in medical technology and improved preservation techniques. Preservation times vary for each organ, from 4 to 72 hours. Corneas must be transplanted within 5 to 7 days, but other tissue such as heart valves, skin, bone and saphenous veins can be preserved from 3 to 10 years.
