Ex-Vivo Lung Perfusion to Increase the Number of Organs for Transplantation

Ex-Vivo Lung Perfusion to Improve Donor Lung Function and Increase the Number of Organs Available for Transplantation

The recent introduction of ex-vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) as a tool to evaluate and recondition lungs from marginal donors has opened a new era in the field of lung transplantation.

Aim of the investigation: to compare the clinical outcome after transplantation of subjects receiving marginal lungs procured from brain death donors and reconditioned by EVLP, with that of subjects receiving lungs procured from standard donors.

Inclusion criteria for donor lung:

1. Recipient to undergo single or bilateral Lung Transplantation
2. Donor arterial partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (PaO2/FiO2) below 300 mmHg, or doubtful donor lung function

Exclusion criteria for donor lung:

1. Massive lung contusion
2. Aspiration
3. Pneumonia
4. Sepsis
5. Malignancy