A National Resource Sharing Program Is Feasible Even in Challenging Lung Recoveries

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Transplant Immunology
• Organ Preservation

Background:

• Mobile ex vivo lung perfusion (mEVLP) enables lung allograft transport while maintaining viability.
• A national organ recovery service provides surgical expertise and mEVLP services.
• mEVLP demonstrates safety and efficacy, with potential to increase organ utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a national mEVLP procurement service.
• To assess the outcomes of lung transplantation using allografts procured by this service.
• To determine the potential of this program to expand lung donor utilization.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of lung transplant recipients receiving allografts procured via the national mEVLP service.
• Collection and descriptive analysis of donor and recipient characteristics, procurement details, and transplant outcomes.
• Inclusion of grafts from donation after circulatory death (DCD) and brain-dead donors.

Main Results:

• Four lung transplantations (3 bilateral, 1 unilateral) were performed using procured allografts.
• Three allografts were from DCD donors, with one requiring resternotomy.
• All procured allografts were of acceptable quality, successfully transplanted, with low adverse events and all patients discharged alive.

Conclusions:

• The national mEVLP procurement service is safe and effective, even in complex cases.
• The program shows promise for increasing overall lung organ utilization, especially from DCD donors.
• Further research is needed on the program's impact on transplant resources, organ utilization rates, and patient outcomes.