A basic consideration for porcine liver preservation using a novel continuous machine perfusion device

The aims of this study were to compare extracellular and intracellular-type University of Wisconsin (UW) solutions for liver grafts and to assess oxygenation in this perfusion system.

The organ preservation system consisted of 3 circulating systems for the portal vein, hepatic artery, and maintenance of the perfusion solution. The portal vein or hepatic artery system had a roller pump, a flow meter, and a pressure sensor. In this study, we perfused livers with UW or extracellular type UW-gluconate at 4°C-6°C for 4 hours. The flow rates at the entrance were 0.5 mL/min/g liver in the portal vein and 0.2 mL/min/liver in the hepatic artery. Orthotopic liver transplantation was performed in pigs: group 1-a, grafts procured after acute hemorrhagic shock were preserved by a solution without O(2); group 1-b, grafts were preserved with O(2); group 2-a, grafts were perfused using intracellular type solution (UW); and group 2-b, grafts were perfused using extracellular-type solution (UW-gluconate).

Effluent aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in group 1-b were lower than those in group 1-a. Survival rates in group 2-a and group 2-b were 1/4 and 3/3, respectively. Effluent AST and LDH levels in the perfusate of group 2-b were lower than group 2-a. Histological study revealed necrosis of hepatocytes and sinusoidal congestion in group 2-a.

A beneficial effect of extracellular-type solution with oxygenation in a novel continuous machine preservation system yielded well-preserved liver graft function.