Pioneering new technology saves the life of a man in need of a heart transplant

Doctors saved a man's life by transplanting a "dead" heart they were able to bring back to life.

Dubbed "heart in a box", is a new pioneering piece of technology that can preserve the organ and keep it beating for almost eight hours, the Daily Mail reported.

The heart transfer to 58-year-old Anthony Anderson was carried out by surgeons at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester (UK).

Anderson was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy which left him in urgent need of a transplant.

On hearing news that a heart for him was available, Anderson told Daily Mail: "When I got the call I felt very emotional – really happy, but of course sad that someone had to die to help me and I will be forever grateful to my donor."

Wythenshawe Hospital is among only four hospitals in the world to carry out this unique procedure.

Manchester Evening News reported that only a few people have undergone this treatment.

In every 100 patients 15 people die while waiting for a heart transplant.

However, doctors are hopeful this technology could save many lives.