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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
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A simplified preservation method for lungs donated after cardiac death
Andreas Wallinder1, Christoffer Hansson2, Stig Steen3
1Cardiothoracic Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg.
Summary
A simplified lung cooling method for organs donated after cardiac death (DCD) maintains lung function. This less invasive technique offers a promising approach to expand the donor lung pool for transplantation.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic surgery
- Organ transplantation
- Medical device technology
Background:
- Lung transplantation is limited by donor organ availability.
- Expanding the donor pool through organs donated after cardiac death (DCD) is crucial.
- Standard DCD lung preservation requires complex procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a simplified intrapleural cooling method for DCD donor lungs.
- To assess the impact of a simplified preservation technique on lung graft function.
- To determine the feasibility of a less-invasive DCD lung preservation protocol.
Main Methods:
- An uncontrolled DCD porcine model was used (n=12).
- Lungs were cooled using a standard method versus a simplified single-chest-tube technique.
- Graft function was assessed via ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) and histological analysis.
Main Results:
- The simplified method resulted in higher lung preservation temperatures (25.9°C vs 13.5°C).
- No significant differences in oxygenation, pulmonary vascular resistance, or compliance were observed during EVLP.
- Histological examination and inflammatory markers showed no differences between groups.
Conclusions:
- Simplified DCD lung cooling is effective and does not compromise graft function.
- This less-invasive method is suitable for uncontrolled DCD settings.
- The technique advances simplified preservation protocols for DCD lungs.
