Machine perfusion of the liver: Putting the puzzle pieces together

World J Gastroenterol. 2021 Sep 14;27(34):5727-5736. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i34.5727.

Abstract

The realm of extended criteria liver transplantation created the 'adjacent possible' for dynamic organ preservation. Machine perfusion of the liver greatly expanded donor organ preservation possibilities, reaching before unattainable goals, including the mitigation of ischemia-reperfusion injury, viability assessment, and organ reconditioning prior to transplantation. However, current scientific evidence lacks uniformity between studies, perfusion protocols, and acceptance criteria. Construction of collaborative research networks for sharing knowledge should, therefore, enable the development of high-level evidence and guidelines for machine perfusion utilization, including donor acceptance criteria. Finally, this approach shall guarantee conditions for further progress to occur.

Keywords: Clinical trials; Extended criteria donors; Liver preservation; Liver transplantation; Machine perfusion of the liver; Organ donation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Liver / surgery
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Organ Preservation*
  • Perfusion
  • Tissue Donors