Retrograde Oxygen Persufflation of Kidney - Experiment on an Animal

There is still a lack of organs for transplantation purposes. In the field of kidney and liver transplantation, one available solution is the use of organs from so-called marginal donors. These donors can be e.g. non-heart-beating donors. In these cases, perfusion and preservation of organs intended for transplantation is generally more difficult. Retrograde oxygen persufflation (ROP) may be a possible solution to this issue. This method is based on retrograde perfusion by oxygen through the renal vein thus reconditioning the organ.

We operated on 10 animals (porcine models). Ischemic injury of the right kidney was simulated in all animals. In group A (N=5), kidneys were perfused with retrograde oxygen persufflation after explantation. In group B (N=5), kidneys were perfused intrarterially as in usual clinical practice. After perfusion all kidneys were transplanted to the original donor animal. Quality of graft restitution was evaluated by the urea level obtained from the renal vein and by histopathological analysis after explantation.

We found no statistically significant differences between groups A and B in urea levels after transplantation, nor did we find any significant differences in quality of kidney parenchyma restoration between these groups.

Retrograde oxygen persufflation is able to protect and restore kidney parenchyma.