Mitochondrial DNA levels in perfusate and bile during normothermic machine correspond with donor liver quality.

normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) preserves donor organs and permits real-time assessment of allograft health, but the most effective indicators of graft viability are uncertain. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), released consequent to traumatic cell injury and death, including the ischemia-reperfusion injury inherent in transplantation, may meet the need for a biomarker in this context. We describe a real time PCR-based approach to assess cell-free mtDNA during NMP as a universal biomarker of allograft quality.

The Actual Operative Costs of Liver Transplantation and Normothermic Machine Perfusion in a Canadian Setting.

Background: Liver transplantation is an effective treatment for end-stage liver disease. However, waiting lists continue to lengthen as demand exceeds supply. Use of extended criteria donors has helped but is associated with increased rates of complications.