Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
An Open-Source Normothermic Perfusion System Designed for Research Scientists
Published on: July 18, 2025
Ex-situ machine perfusion across the organs; shared principles and transferable knowledge from clinical trials
Samuel J Tingle1, Nicholas Chilvers1, Georgios Kourounis1
1National Institute of Health and Care Research Blood and Transplant Research Unit, Newcastle University and Cambridge University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Institute of Transplantation, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Ex-situ machine perfusion (MP) improves organ transplantation by reducing injury and assessing viability. Hypothermic oxygenated MP shows consistent benefits across organs, unlike normothermic MP.
Area of Science:
- Transplantation science
- Medical technology
- Organ preservation
Background:
- Ex-situ machine perfusion (MP) technologies are transforming organ transplantation.
- MP aims to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury, extend preservation times, and assess organ viability.
- Shared pathophysiological processes underlie early graft dysfunction across different organs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review clinical trial evidence for ex-situ MP across kidney, heart, liver, lung, and pancreas.
- To focus on recipient outcomes, prolonged preservation, and organ utilization.
- To identify themes for cross-organ learning in transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Integrated review of clinical trial evidence for ex-situ machine perfusion.
- Assessment of studies reporting recipient outcomes, preservation times, and organ utilization.
- Analysis of trends and shared pathologies in ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Main Results:
- Hypothermic oxygenated MP consistently ameliorates ischemia-reperfusion injury and improves outcomes across multiple organs.
- Normothermic MP has not demonstrated similar improvements in recipient outcomes in randomized trials.
- Cross-organ learning is possible due to shared biology of early graft dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- Ex-situ machine perfusion offers significant advancements in organ transplantation.
- Hypothermic oxygenated MP presents a promising strategy for improving transplant outcomes.
- An integrated approach leveraging cross-organ evidence can guide future research and clinical application, especially in resource-constrained settings.
