Orthostatic Ex-Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP): A Proof of Concept

Transpl Int. 2024 Jul 31:37:13178. doi: 10.3389/ti.2024.13178. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

The key goal in lung donation remains the improvement of graft preservation with the ultimate objective of increasing the number and quality of lung transplants (LTx). Therefore, in recent years the field of graft preservation focused on improving outcomes related to solid organ regeneration and restoration. In this contest Ex-Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP) plays a crucial role with the purpose to increase the donor pool availability transforming marginal and/or declined donor lungs suitable for transplantation. Aim of this proof of concept is to test the safety, suitability and feasibility of a new tilting dome for EVLP designed considering the dorsal lung areas as the "Achilles' heel" of the EVLP due to a more fluid accumulation than in the supine standard position.

Keywords: EVLP; animal model; lung transplant; organ preservation; perfusion.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Transplantation* / methods
  • Lung* / blood supply
  • Lung* / physiology
  • Lung* / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Organ Preservation* / methods
  • Perfusion* / methods
  • Proof of Concept Study*
  • Tissue Donors

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. MB, AC, ES, and MM received a travel grant from Aferetica to the animal facility. The funder was not involved in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, the writing of this article, or the decision to submit it for publication.