Hypothermic organ preservation by static storage methods: Current status and a view to the future

The donor organ shortage is the largest problem in transplantation today and is one where organ preservation technology has an important role to play. Static storage of solid organs, especially of the kidney, continues to be the most common method employed for storage and transport of organs from deceased donors. However, the increase in organs obtained from expanded criteria donors and donors with cardiac death provide new challenges in crafting effective preservation methods for the future. This article reviews the current status of static hypothermic storage methods and discusses potential avenues for future exploitation of this technology as the available organ pool is expanded into the more marginal donor categories.