Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
09:14
Establishment of a Novel Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion System for Rat Lungs After Circulatory Death
Published on: October 18, 2024
Clinical ex vivo lung perfusion--pushing the limits
C Aigner1, A Slama, K Hötzenecker
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. clemens.aigner@meduniwien.ac.at
Summary
Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) can improve initially unacceptable donor lungs for transplantation. This study shows EVLP successfully reconditioned lungs, leading to successful transplants with no short-term mortality.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Medicine
- Transplantation Surgery
Background:
- Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) is a technique to assess donor lungs before transplantation.
- Limited prospective data exist on EVLP's efficacy in reconditioning unacceptable donor lungs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential of EVLP to recondition initially unacceptable donor lungs for transplantation.
- To assess the outcomes of lung transplantation using EVLP-improved donor lungs.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 13 initially unacceptable donor lungs evaluated using EVLP for 2-4 hours.
- Lungs were assessed based on oxygenation parameters (PaO2, ΔPO2, PvO2).
- Improved lungs were transplanted; outcomes were compared to standard lung transplants.
Main Results:
- Nine out of 13 lungs improved with EVLP, meeting transplantation criteria (ΔPO2 > 350 mmHg).
- Transplanted lungs showed no primary graft dysfunction (PGD) grades 2 or 3 within 72 hours.
- Thirty-day mortality was 0% for recipients of EVLP-treated lungs, with a median intubation time of 2 days.
Conclusions:
- EVLP demonstrates significant potential to improve the quality of otherwise unacceptable donor lungs.
- EVLP can expand the donor lung pool and improve transplant outcomes.
- This technique offers a viable option for lung reconditioning, reducing PGD and mortality.
