Liver transplantation is the first-line treatment for several end-stage liver diseases. Current clinical strategies need to be optimised due to the persistent organ shortage, which leads to increased transplantation of organs with expanded donor criteria, and the often poor condition of the recipients. The aim of our group was to investigate the use of mechanical perfusion for individualised optimisation of liver transplantation.

Cold machine perfusion

Donor organs are connected to an artificial circulation in which the organs are continuously perfused with a cold perfusion solution (8-10°C) enriched with nutrients and, above all, oxygen (Hypothermic Oxygenated Machine Perfusion = HOPE). This reduces the risk of damage before transplantation and allows organs to be stored for longer.

Warm machine perfusion

Extracorporeal organ perfusion also offers the possibility of simulating a near-physiological artificial circulation at body temperature (37°C), in which the organs are continuously perfused with a blood-like perfusion solution. The advantage of Normothermal Oxygenated Perfusion (NOPE) is that donor organs can be tested and, if necessary, pre-treated under "body-like" conditions. Ultimately, the quality of the organs can be better predicted and possibly even improved.

Team

Dr. med. Philipp Felgendreff

Simon Störzer

Dr. med. Hristro Zlatev

Jessica Singh

Dr. med. Helena Linge