Porcine lungs perfused with three different flows using the 8-h open-atrium cellular ex vivo lung perfusion technique

Sana N. Buttar*, Hasse Møller-Sørensen, Michael Perch, Hannelouise Kissow, Thomas N.B. Lilleør, Rene H. Petersen, Christian H. Møller

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

The number of lung transplantations is limited due to the shortage of donor lungs fulfilling the standard criteria. The ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) technique provides the ability of re-evaluating and potentially improving and treating marginal donor lungs. Accordingly, the technique has emerged as an essential tool to increase the much-needed donor lung pool. One of the major EVLP protocols, the Lund protocol, characterized by high pulmonary artery flow (100% of cardiac output [CO]), an open atrium, and a cellular perfusate, has demonstrated encouraging short-EVLP duration results. However, the potential of the longer EVLP duration of the protocol is yet to be investigated, a duration which is considered necessary to rescue more marginal donor lungs in future. This study aimed to achieve stable 8-h EVLP using an open-atrium cellular model with three different pulmonary artery flows in addition to determining the most optimal flow in terms of best lung performance, including lung electrolytes and least lung edema formation, perfusate and tissue inflammation, and histopathological changes, using the porcine model. EVLP was performed using a flow of either 40% (n = 6), 80% (n = 6), or 100% (n = 6) of CO. No flow rate demonstrated stable 8-h EVLP. Stable 2-h EVLP was observed in all three groups. Insignificant deterioration was observed in dynamic compliance, peak airway pressure, and oxygenation between the groups. Pulmonary vascular resistance increased significantly in the 40% group (p <.05). Electrolytes demonstrated an insignificant worsening trend with longer EVLP. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) in perfusate and tissue, wet-to-dry weight ratio, and histopathological changes after EVLP were insignificantly time dependent between the groups. This study demonstrated that stable 8-h EVLP was not feasible in an open-atrium cellular model regardless of the flow of 40%, 80%, or 100% of CO. No flow was superior in terms of lung performance, lung electrolytes changes, least lung edema formation, minimal IL-8 expression in perfusate and tissue, and histopathological changes.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1357182
JournalFrontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Volume12
Number of pages11
ISSN2296-4185
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2024 Buttar, Møller-Sørensen, Perch, Kissow, Lilleør, Petersen and Møller.

Keywords

  • cellular/acellular perfusate
  • ex vivo lung perfusion
  • ex vivo lung perfusion duration
  • ex vivo lung perfusion strategies
  • open/closed atrium
  • prolonged ex vivo lung perfusion

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