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Lung Rapid Recovery Procurement Combined with Abdominal Normothermic Regional Perfusion in Controlled Donation after Circulatory Death
Published on: August 15, 2022
Non-heart-beating lung donation: how big is the pool?
Danielle M Nijkamp1, Wim van der Bij, Erik A M Verschuuren
1Department of Surgery, Division of Organ Donation, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. d.m.nijkamp@chir.umcg.nl
Summary
Non-heart-beating (NHB) donor lungs in the Netherlands are underutilized. A review found 30% of NHB lungs were suitable for transplant, yet only 5% were used, indicating a missed opportunity for lung donation.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Transplantation Surgery
- Organ Donation
Background:
- Lungs from non-heart-beating (NHB) donors are of good quality but rarely utilized in the Netherlands.
- Current practices lead to a significant underuse of potentially viable NHB donor lungs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utilization and suitability of lungs from non-heart-beating donors for transplantation in the Netherlands.
- To identify reasons for the low utilization rate of NHB donor lungs.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 162 non-heart-beating donor procedures.
- Assessment of lung suitability for transplantation based on donor characteristics and organ quality.
Main Results:
- Only 5% of lungs from NHB donors were utilized for transplantation.
- A substantial 30% of NHB donor lungs were deemed suitable for transplantation.
- The primary barrier to NHB lung utilization appears to be a failure to recognize their suitability.
Conclusions:
- There is significant untapped potential in utilizing NHB donor lungs for transplantation.
- Improved protocols and awareness are needed to increase the utilization of suitable NHB donor lungs.
- Addressing the non-recognition of suitability could significantly enhance lung donation rates.
