TRANSPERFNormothermic Oxygenated Perfusion for Assessing Discarded Liver Viability

This study is focused on improving the assessment of donor livers that are often discarded despite being potentially healthy enough for transplantation. Liver transplantation is a crucial treatment for severe liver diseases, but there is a shortage of available livers. Many livers are turned down based on subjective assessments or donor characteristics, leading to viable organs being wasted. The study uses a process called Normothermic Machine Perfusion (NMP) to evaluate if these discarded livers can be deemed suitable for transplantation. This method could increase the number of usable organs and improve outcomes for patients waiting for a liver transplant. Participants in this study involve livers that have been initially discarded based on current assessment standards. The OrganOx metra device is used to perfuse these livers with blood and nutrients at normal body temperature, providing an environment similar to that of a living body. This process helps to objectively assess the liver's viability by evaluating various functions such as lactate clearance and bile production. The study measures how many of these livers become usable for transplantation and how well they function three months after the procedure. Successful outcomes could lead to more reliable criteria for liver viability, reducing the risk of transplant failure and saving more lives.