Ex vivo lung perfusion in Brazil

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Lung Transplantation: Initial Experience at a Single Brazilian Center

OBJECTIVE

To report initial experience from the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients who received lung transplantation.

METHODS

Retrospective study of a single tertiary center in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, a national reference in lung transplantation, based on the prospective collection of data from electronic medical records. The period analyzed extended from January 2009 (beginning of the program) until December 2018.

RESULTS

A total of 75 lung transplants were performed, with ECMO used in 8 (10.7%) cases. Of the patients, 4 (50%) were female. The mean age was 46.4±14.3 years. The causes of the end-stage lung disease that led to transplantation were pulmonary arterial hypertension in 3 (37.5%) patients, bronchiectasis in 2 (25%) patients, pulmonary fibrosis in 2 (25%) patients, and pulmonary emphysema in 1 (12.5%) patient. In our series, 7 (87.5%) cases were sequential bilateral transplantations. Prioritization was necessary in 4 (50%) patients, and in 1 patient, ECMO was used as a bridge to transplantation. The ECMO route was central in 4 (50%), peripheral venovenous in 2 (25%) and peripheral venoarterial in 2 (25%) patients. The mean length of the intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 14±7.5 days and of the hospital stay was 34.1±34.2 days. The mean ECMO duration was 9.3±6.6 days with a 50% decannulation rate. Three patients were discharged (37.5%).

CONCLUSION

Lung transplantation requires complex treatment, and ECMO has allowed extending the indications for transplantation and provided adjuvant support in the clinical management of these patients.

Evaluation and reconditioning of donor organs for transplantation through ex vivo lung perfusion

Objective:

To assess the feasibility and impact of ex vivo lung perfusion with hyperoncotic solution (Steen Solution^™) in the utilization of these organs in Brazil.

Methods:

In this prospective study, we subjected five lungs considered to be high risk for transplantation to 4 hours of ex vivo lung perfusion, with evaluation of oxygenation capacity. High-risk donor lungs were defined by specific criteria, including inflammatory infiltrates, pulmonary edema and partial pressure of arterial oxygen less than 300mmHg (inspired oxygen fraction of 100%).

Results:

During reperfusion, the mean partial pressure of arterial oxygen (inspired oxygen fraction of 100%) of the lungs did not change significantly (p=0.315). In the first hour, the mean partial pressure of arterial oxygen was 302.7mmHg (±127.66mmHg); in the second hour, 214.2mmHg (±94.12mmHg); in the third hour, 214.4mmHg (±99.70mmHg); and in the fourth hour, 217.7mmHg (±73.93mmHg). Plasma levels of lactate and glucose remained stable during perfusion, with no statistical difference between the moments studied (p=0.216).

Conclusion:

Ex vivo lung perfusion was reproduced in our center and ensured the preservation of lungs during the study period, which was 4 hours. The technique did not provide enough improvement for indicating organs for transplantation; therefore, it did not impact on use of these organs.

Ten year follow-up of lung transplantations using initially rejected donor lungs after reconditioning using ex vivo lung perfusion

Background

In 2006 and 2007 we performed double lung transplantation with marginal donor lungs assessed and reconditioned by Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP), using a technique developed by Professor Stig Steen. Here we present a 10-year follow-up comparing the outcomes of lung transplantations performed at our clinic using EVLP lungs vs. conventional lungs.

Method

Between 2006 and 2007, 21 patients (6 EVLP, 15 conventional) underwent double lung transplantation (LTx) with follow-up on May 2017 at Lund University Hospital, Sweden. Pulmonary function was measured at 3/6/12 months, and annually thereafter for a period of 10 years in addition to survival and freedom from chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) being analyzed.

Results

Regarding Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s (FEV1) and 6MWT at 3, 6, and 12 months and annually thereafter, no difference in median FEV1 nor 6MWT was found for EVLP-LTx vs. conventional-LTx (p > 0.05). No difference was shown in post-operative survival between EVLP-LTx vs. conventional LTx for patients with an overall survival up to 10-years (p > 0.05). The same pattern was shown in sub analyses for patients with a limited survival up to 1 and 5 years (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

No superiority was found in conventional-LTx over EVLP-LTx, neither in long-term survival nor pulmonary function. No difference in CLAD-free survival was seen between the two groups. We believe that EVLP is a safe and effective method to use in LTx, greatly increasing the donor pool by improving marginal lungs and providing an objective assessment of the viability of marginal donor lungs.

Ex vivo lung perfusion prior to transplantation: an overview of current clinical practice worldwide

Lung transplantation is a lifesaving treatment in numerous forms of end-stage lung disease but organ shortage remains nowadays his biggest issue. Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) has recently emerged as a solution to this problem and begins to be accepted is clinical practice. In this review, we will focus on his experience worldwide. We would like to describe the technique and the criteria used to select the donors and the transplantable lungs. We will also browse the acceptance rate described in literature as well as numerous other aspects of this new tool.