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Groen PC, van Leeuwen OB, de Jonge J, Porte RJ. Viability assessment of the liver during ex-situ machine perfusion prior to transplantation. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2024; 29:239-247. [PMID: 38764406 PMCID: PMC11224566 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000001152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW In an attempt to reduce waiting list mortality in liver transplantation, less-than-ideal quality donor livers from extended criteria donors are increasingly accepted. Predicting the outcome of these organs remains a challenge. Machine perfusion provides the unique possibility to assess donor liver viability pretransplantation and predict postreperfusion organ function. RECENT FINDINGS Assessing liver viability during hypothermic machine perfusion remains challenging, as the liver is not metabolically active. Nevertheless, the levels of flavin mononucleotide, transaminases, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose and pH in the perfusate have proven to be predictors of liver viability. During normothermic machine perfusion, the liver is metabolically active and in addition to the perfusate levels of pH, transaminases, glucose and lactate, the production of bile is a crucial criterion for hepatocyte viability. Cholangiocyte viability can be determined by analyzing bile composition. The differences between perfusate and bile levels of pH, bicarbonate and glucose are good predictors of freedom from ischemic cholangiopathy. SUMMARY Although consensus is lacking regarding precise cut-off values during machine perfusion, there is general consensus on the importance of evaluating both hepatocyte and cholangiocyte compartments. The challenge is to reach consensus for increased organ utilization, while at the same time pushing the boundaries by expanding the possibilities for viability testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puck C Groen
- Department of Surgery, Division of Hepato-Pancreato- Biliary and Transplant Surgery, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Risbey CWG, Pulitano C. Normothermic Ex Vivo Machine Perfusion for Liver Transplantation: A Systematic Review of Progress in Humans. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12113718. [PMID: 37297913 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12113718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver transplantation is a lifesaving procedure for patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). However, many patients never receive a transplant due to insufficient donor supply. Historically, organs have been preserved using static cold storage (SCS). However, recently, ex vivo normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) has emerged as an alternative technique. This paper aims to investigate the clinical progress of NMP in humans. METHODS Papers evaluating the clinical outcomes of NMP for liver transplantation in humans were included. Lab-based studies, case reports, and papers utilizing animal models were excluded. Literature searches of MEDLINE and SCOPUS were conducted. The revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials (RoB 2) and the risk of bias in nonrandomised studies for interventions (ROBINS-I) tools were used. Due to the heterogeneity of the included papers, a meta-analysis was unable to be completed. RESULTS In total, 606 records were identified, with 25 meeting the inclusion criteria; 16 papers evaluated early allograft dysfunction (EAD) with some evidence for lower rates using NMP compared to SCS; 19 papers evaluated patient or graft survival, with no evidence to suggest superior outcomes with either NMP or SCS; 10 papers evaluated utilization of marginal and donor after circulatory death (DCD) grafts, with good evidence to suggest NMP is superior to SCS. CONCLUSIONS There is good evidence to suggest that NMP is safe and that it likely affords clinical advantages to SCS. The weight of evidence supporting NMP is growing, and this review found the strongest evidence in support of NMP to be its capacity to increase the utilization rates of marginal and DCD allografts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W G Risbey
- Department of Surgery, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney 2050, Australia
- Centre for Organ Assessment, Repair & Optimization (COARO), Sydney 2050, Australia
- Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Carlo Pulitano
- Centre for Organ Assessment, Repair & Optimization (COARO), Sydney 2050, Australia
- Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
- Department of Transplant Surgery, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney 2050, Australia
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Li J, Lu H, Zhang J, Li Y, Zhao Q. Comprehensive Approach to Assessment of Liver Viability During Normothermic Machine Perfusion. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2023; 11:466-479. [PMID: 36643041 PMCID: PMC9817053 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2022.00130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment of advanced liver disease, and the use of extended criteria donor organs has broadened the source of available livers. Although normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) has become a useful tool in liver transplantation, there are no consistent criteria that can be used to evaluate the viability of livers during NMP. This review summarizes the criteria, indicators, and methods used to evaluate liver viability during NMP. The shape, appearance, and hemodynamics of the liver can be analyzed at a macroscopic level, while markers of liver injury, indicators of liver and bile duct function, and other relevant indicators can be evaluated by biochemical analysis. The liver can also be assessed by tissue biopsy at the microscopic level. Novel methods for assessment of liver viability are introduced. The limitations of evaluating liver viability during NMP are discussed and suggestions for future clinical practice are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Qiang Zhao
- Correspondence to: Qiang Zhao, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6369-1393. Tel: +86-15989196835, E-mail:
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Hyperspectral Imaging for Viability Assessment of Human Liver Allografts During Normothermic Machine Perfusion. Transplant Direct 2022; 8:e1420. [PMID: 36406899 PMCID: PMC9671746 DOI: 10.1097/txd.0000000000001420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) is nowadays frequently utilized in liver transplantation. Despite commonly accepted viability assessment criteria, such as perfusate lactate and perfusate pH, there is a lack of predictive organ evaluation strategies to ensure graft viability. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI)-as an optical imaging modality increasingly applied in the biomedical field-might provide additional useful data regarding allograft viability and performance of liver grafts during NMP. METHODS Twenty-five deceased donor liver allografts were included in the study. During NMP, graft viability was assessed conventionally and by means of HSI. Images of liver parenchyma were acquired at 1, 2, and 4 h of NMP, and subsequently analyzed using a specialized HSI acquisition software to compute oxygen saturation, tissue hemoglobin index, near-infrared perfusion index, and tissue water index. To analyze the association between HSI parameters and perfusate lactate as well as perfusate pH, we performed simple linear regression analysis. RESULTS Perfusate lactate at 1, 2, and 4 h NMP was 1.5 [0.3-8.1], 0.9 [0.3-2.8], and 0.9 [0.1-2.2] mmol/L. Perfusate pH at 1, 2, and 4 h NMP was 7.329 [7.013-7.510], 7.318 [7.081-7.472], and 7.265 [6.967-7.462], respectively. Oxygen saturation predicted perfusate lactate at 1 and 2 h NMP (R2 = 0.1577, P = 0.0493; R2 = 0.1831, P = 0.0329; respectively). Tissue hemoglobin index predicted perfusate lactate at 1, 2, and 4 h NMP (R2 = 0.1916, P = 0.0286; R2 = 0.2900, P = 0.0055; R2 = 0.2453, P = 0.0139; respectively). CONCLUSIONS HSI may serve as a noninvasive tool for viability assessment during NMP. Further evaluation and validation of HSI parameters are warranted in larger sample sizes.
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De Simone P, Ghinolfi D. Hospital-Based Health Technology Assessment of Machine Perfusion Systems for Human Liver Transplantation. Transpl Int 2022; 35:10405. [PMID: 35692735 PMCID: PMC9184439 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2022.10405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Based on published data, we have carried out a hospital-based health technology assessment of machine perfusion in adult liver transplantation using cold storage as a comparator, and within the perspective of a national health system-based hospital practice and disease-related group reimbursement policy. A systematic literature review on machine perfusion for adult liver transplantation was conducted exploring the Pubmed, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane databases. The literature was analyzed with the intent to provide information on 6 dimensions and 19 items of the hospital-based health technology assessment framework derived from previous studies. Out of 705 references, 47 (6.7%) were retained for current analysis. Use of machine perfusion was associated with advantages over cold storage, i.e., a 10%–50% reduced risk for early allograft dysfunction, 7%–15% less ischemia reperfusion injury; 7%–50% fewer ischemic biliary complications, comparable or improved 1-year graft and patient survival, and up to a 50% lower graft discard rate. Hospital stay was not longer, and technical failures were anecdotal. Information on costs of machine perfusion is limited, but this technology is projected to increase hospital costs while cost-effectiveness analysis requires data over the transplant patient lifetime. No hospital-based health technology assessment study on machine perfusion in liver transplantation was previously conducted. From the hospital perspective, there is evidence of the clinical advantages of this novel technology, but strategies to counterbalance the increased costs of liver transplantation are urgently needed. Further studies should focus on the ethical, social, and organizational issues related to machine perfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo De Simone
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University of Pisa Medical School Hospital, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Biomolecular Pathology and Intensive Care Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- *Correspondence: Paolo De Simone,
| | - Davide Ghinolfi
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University of Pisa Medical School Hospital, Pisa, Italy
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Brüggenwirth IMA, van Leeuwen OB, Porte RJ, Martins PN. The Emerging Role of Viability Testing During Liver Machine Perfusion. Liver Transpl 2022; 28:876-886. [PMID: 33963657 DOI: 10.1002/lt.26092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The transplant community continues to be challenged by the disparity between the need for liver transplantation and the shortage of suitable donor organs. At the same time, the number of unused donor livers continues to increase, most likely attributed to the worsening quality of these organs. To date, there is no reliable marker of liver graft viability that can predict good posttransplant outcomes. Ex situ machine perfusion offers additional data to assess the viability of donor livers before transplantation. Hence, livers initially considered unsuitable for transplantation can be assessed during machine perfusion in terms of appearance and consistency, hemodynamics, and metabolic and excretory function. In addition, postoperative complications such as primary nonfunction or posttransplant cholangiopathy may be predicted and avoided. A variety of viability criteria have been used in machine perfusion, and to date there is no widely accepted composition of criteria for clinical use. This review discusses potential viability markers for hepatobiliary function during machine perfusion, describes current limitations, and provides future recommendations for the use of viability criteria in clinical liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel M A Brüggenwirth
- Department of Surgery, Section of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.,Division of Organ Transplantation, Department of Surgery, UMass Memorial Medical Center, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA
| | - Otto B van Leeuwen
- Department of Surgery, Section of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Robert J Porte
- Department of Surgery, Section of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Paulo N Martins
- Division of Organ Transplantation, Department of Surgery, UMass Memorial Medical Center, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA
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Moein M, Capelin J, Toth JF, Tylor D, Weiss ZM, Murugesan BG, Saidi RF. Role of Normothermic Machine Perfusion in Liver Transplantation: Current Trends and Outcomes. SURGERY IN PRACTICE AND SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sipas.2022.100077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Lascaris B, Thorne AM, Lisman T, Nijsten MWN, Porte RJ, de Meijer VE. Long-term normothermic machine preservation of human livers: what is needed to succeed? Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2022; 322:G183-G200. [PMID: 34756122 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00257.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Although short-term machine perfusion (≤24 h) allows for resuscitation and viability assessment of high-risk donor livers, the donor organ shortage might be further remedied by long-term perfusion machines. Extended preservation of injured donor livers may allow reconditioning, repairing, and regeneration. This review summarizes the necessary requirements and challenges for long-term liver machine preservation, which requires integrating multiple core physiological functions to mimic the physiological environment inside the body. A pump simulates the heart in the perfusion system, including automatically controlled adjustment of flow and pressure settings. Oxygenation and ventilation are required to account for the absence of the lungs combined with continuous blood gas analysis. To avoid pressure necrosis and achieve heterogenic tissue perfusion during preservation, diaphragm movement should be simulated. An artificial kidney is required to remove waste products and control the perfusion solution's composition. The perfusate requires an oxygen carrier, but will also be challenged by coagulation and activation of the immune system. The role of the pancreas can be mimicked through closed-loop control of glucose concentrations by automatic injection of insulin or glucagon. Nutrients and bile salts, generally transported from the intestine to the liver, have to be supplemented when preserving livers long term. Especially for long-term perfusion, the container should allow maintenance of sterility. In summary, the main challenge to develop a long-term perfusion machine is to maintain the liver's homeostasis in a sterile, carefully controlled environment. Long-term machine preservation of human livers may allow organ regeneration and repair, thereby ultimately solving the shortage of donor livers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Lascaris
- Section of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery & Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Adam M Thorne
- Section of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery & Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ton Lisman
- Surgical Research Laboratory, Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten W N Nijsten
- Department of Critical Care, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Robert J Porte
- Section of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery & Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent E de Meijer
- Section of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery & Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Panconesi R, Flores Carvalho M, Mueller M, Meierhofer D, Dutkowski P, Muiesan P, Schlegel A. Viability Assessment in Liver Transplantation-What Is the Impact of Dynamic Organ Preservation? Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9020161. [PMID: 33562406 PMCID: PMC7915925 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9020161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Based on the continuous increase of donor risk, with a majority of organs classified as marginal, quality assessment and prediction of liver function is of utmost importance. This is also caused by the notoriously lack of effective replacement of a failing liver by a device or intensive care treatment. While various parameters of liver function and injury are well-known from clinical practice, the majority of specific tests require prolonged diagnostic time and are more difficult to assess ex situ. In addition, viability assessment of procured organs needs time, because the development of the full picture of cellular injury and the initiation of repair processes depends on metabolic active tissue and reoxygenation with full blood over several hours or days. Measuring injury during cold storage preservation is therefore unlikely to predict the viability after transplantation. In contrast, dynamic organ preservation strategies offer a great opportunity to assess organs before implantation through analysis of recirculating perfusates, bile and perfused liver tissue. Accordingly, several parameters targeting hepatocyte or cholangiocyte function or metabolism have been recently suggested as potential viability tests before organ transplantation. We summarize here a current status of respective machine perfusion tests, and report their clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Panconesi
- Hepatobiliary Unit, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (R.P.); (M.F.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Mauricio Flores Carvalho
- Hepatobiliary Unit, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (R.P.); (M.F.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Matteo Mueller
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital Zurich, Swiss HPB and Transplant Center, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.M.); (P.D.)
| | - David Meierhofer
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Mass Spectrometry Facility, 14195 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Philipp Dutkowski
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital Zurich, Swiss HPB and Transplant Center, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.M.); (P.D.)
| | - Paolo Muiesan
- Hepatobiliary Unit, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (R.P.); (M.F.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Andrea Schlegel
- Hepatobiliary Unit, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (R.P.); (M.F.C.); (P.M.)
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital Zurich, Swiss HPB and Transplant Center, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.M.); (P.D.)
- Correspondence:
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Gao J, He K, Xia Q, Zhang J. Research progress on hepatic machine perfusion. Int J Med Sci 2021; 18:1953-1959. [PMID: 33850464 PMCID: PMC8040389 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.56139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for end-stage liver disease. However, the increasing imbalance between growing demand for liver transplantation and the shortage of donor pool restricts the development of liver transplantation. How to expand the donor pool is a significant problem to be solved clinically. Many doctors have devoted themselves to marginal grafting, which introduces livers with barely passable quality but a high risk of transplant failure into the donor pool. However, existing common methods of preserving marginal grafts lead to both high risk of postoperative complications and high mortality. The application of machine perfusion allows surgeons to make marginal livers meet the standard criteria for transplant, which shows promising prospect in preserving and repairing donor livers and improving ischemia reperfusion injury. This review summarizes the progress of recent researches on hepatic machine perfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junda Gao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kang He
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Xia
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianjun Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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