Extended criteria donor lung reconditioning with the organ care system lung: A single institution experience.

OBJECTIVE: Lung transplantation is a life-saving procedure limited by donor's availability. Lung reconditioning by Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion represents a tool to expand the donor pool. In this study, we describe our experience with the OCS™ Lung to assess and recondition extended criteria lungs.

METHODS: From January 2014 to October 2016, out of 86 on-site donors evaluated, 8 lungs have been identified as potentially treatable with OCS™ Lung. We analyzed data from these donors and the recipient outcomes after transplantation.

RESULTS: All donor lungs improved during OCS perfusion in particular regarding the PaO2 /FiO2 ratio (from 340 mmHg in donor to 537 mmHg in OCS) leading to lung transplantation in all cases. Concerning post-operative results, PGD score 3 at 72 hours was observed in one patient, while median mechanical ventilation time, ICU and hospital stay were 60 hours, 14 and 36 days, respectively. One in-hospital death was recorded (12.5%), while other two patients died during follow-up leading to 1-year survival of 62.5%. The remaining 5 patients are alive and in good conditions.

CONCLUSION: This case series demonstrates the feasibility and value of lung reconditioning with the OCS™ Lung; a prospective trial is underway to validate its role to safely increase the number of donor lungs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.