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Updated: Apr 4, 2026

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Normothermic Negative Pressure Ventilation Ex Situ Lung Perfusion: Evaluation of Lung Function and Metabolism
Published on: February 14, 2022
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A neutrophil elastase inhibitor improves lung function during ex vivo lung perfusion
Masaaki Harada1, Takahiro Oto2, Shinji Otani2
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacological Sciences, 2-5-1, Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan. msa_hara@yahoo.co.jp.
General Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
|September 9, 2015
Summary
A neutrophil elastase inhibitor reduced inflammation during ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP), improving lung function and potentially decreasing post-transplant injury. This offers a promising strategy for lung transplantation.
Area of Science:
- Transplantation immunology
- Pulmonary medicine
- Surgical research
Background:
- Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) is used for lung graft evaluation and reconditioning.
- Neutrophils can cause graft injury during EVLP.
- Neutrophil elastase inhibitors mitigate neutrophil-induced lung injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of a neutrophil elastase inhibitor during EVLP.
- To assess its impact on lung graft quality and post-transplant outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Bilateral pig lungs underwent 2-hour warm ischemia followed by 4-hour EVLP.
- Lungs were treated with or without a neutrophil elastase inhibitor.
- Pulmonary functions were evaluated during EVLP and after 4-hour transplantation.
Main Results:
- The inhibitor group showed reduced neutrophil elastase, improved wet-dry ratio, lower pulmonary vascular resistance, and better PaO2/FiO2 ratio and compliance during EVLP.
- Post-transplant, the inhibitor group exhibited decreased pulmonary vascular resistance.
Conclusions:
- Neutrophil elastase inhibitor attenuated inflammatory response during EVLP.
- It may reduce the incidence of lung reperfusion injury post-transplantation.

