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Technique of Subnormothermic Ex Vivo Liver Perfusion for the Storage, Assessment, and Repair of Marginal Liver Grafts
Published on: August 13, 2014
Postmortem organ salvage using an Oxygen supplemented perfusate
L Brasile1, P DelVecchio, U Rudofsky
1VEC TEC, Inc. Schenectady, New York.
Abstract:
The world-wide shortage of organs for clinical transplantation is caused by the limited existing donor pool of heartbeating cadavers. Attempts to expand into the nonheartbeating cadaver population have been hindered by warm ischemic damage. We evaluated if a new Oxygent (Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp.) supplemented perfusate could be used to salvage canine kidneys postmortem. The kidneys preserved in the Oxygent perfusate could be maintained in situ for time points ranging from one-eight hours postmortem; enough time to declare death and obtain consent for organ donation. In contrast, the control kidneys yielded abnormal histologic findings and impaired flow dynamics. These results suggest that new perfusate may have significant potential to expand the existing organ donor pool.
Insights
A novel perfusate, Oxygent, shows promise in preserving non-heartbeating donor kidneys postmortem. This could significantly expand the organ donor pool for transplantation by mitigating warm ischemic damage.
Area of Science:
- Transplantation immunology
- Organ preservation science
Background:
- Global organ transplant waiting lists are long due to a limited donor pool.
- Warm ischemic damage significantly hinders the use of non-heartbeating cadaveric organs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a novel Oxygent-supplemented perfusate in salvaging canine kidneys postmortem.
- To determine if Oxygent can extend preservation time for potential organ donors.
Main Methods:
- Canine kidneys were preserved postmortem using Oxygent-supplemented perfusate.
- Control kidneys were preserved without Oxygent.
- Histologic findings and flow dynamics were assessed.
Main Results:
- Kidneys preserved with Oxygent were maintained for 1-8 hours postmortem.
- Control kidneys exhibited abnormal histology and impaired blood flow.
- Oxygent-preserved kidneys showed potential for viability.
Conclusions:
- Oxygent-supplemented perfusate can salvage postmortem canine kidneys.
- This preservation method may overcome warm ischemic damage challenges.
- Oxygent holds potential for expanding the organ donor pool for transplantation.
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