"EX VIVO" MACHINE PRESERVATION OF THE ABDOMINAL ORGANS OF A PIG

The aim of the study is to test the developed perfusion machine for long-term preservation of the liver, to evaluate the perfusion scheme that provides two different (arterial and venous) flows, and to evaluate hemodynamic of parallel perfusion of the liver together with the kidney. We have developed a perfusion machine to enable simultaneous perfusion of the liver and kidney, based on clinically proven constant flow blood pump. In the developed device, constant blood flow is converted into pulsed blood flow using a device of its own design - a pulsator. The device was tested on 6 pigs, whose liver and kidney were explanted for preservation. Organs were explanted along with the aorta and caudal vena cava on a common vascular pedicle and perfused through the aorta and portal vein. With a constant flow pump, part of the blood was directed through a heat exchanger, an oxygenator, and a pulsator and delivered to the organs through the aorta. The other part was sent to the upper reservoir, from which the blood gravitationally entered the portal vein. The organs were irrigated with warm saline. Blood flows were regulated by gas composition, temperature, blood flow volume and pressure. One experiment was put to an end due to technical problems. In 5 experiments, during the 6-hour perfusion, all physiological parameters remained within the normal range. During the conservation process, slight, correctable changes in gas exchange parameters affecting pH stability were noted. The production of bile and urine was noted. Results of the experiments with the achievement of a stable 6-hour perfusion preservation with confirmed physiological activity of the liver and kidney, make it possible to consider the design capabilities of the applied device with pulsating blood flow. It is possible to assess the original perfusion scheme, which provides two different flows, by one blood pump. The possibility of increasing the duration of liver preservation with further improvement of the perfusion machine and methodological support was noted.