A National Resource Sharing Program Is Feasible Even in Challenging Lung Recoveries.

Background: Mobile ex vivo lung perfusion (mEVLP) allows transportation of lung allografts while maintaining ventilation and perfusion and has demonstrated safety and efficacy with the potential to expand organ utilization. A nationwide organ recovery service has been implemented to provide surgical expertise for recovery alongside mEVLP transportation services.

Methods: We reviewed patients at our institution who underwent lung transplantation with donor lungs procured with this program. Donor and recipient characteristics, procurement details, and outcomes were collected and descriptively analyzed. Individual patient consent was obtained.

Results: Three patients underwent bilateral lung transplantation and 1 patient received a unilateral lung transplant with allografts procured by the recovery service. Three of the grafts were recovered from donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors and 1 from a brain-dead donor. One DCD donor was particularly challenging, requiring resternotomy. All allografts recovered were of acceptable quality and ultimately used for transplantation. The incidence of adverse events was low, and all patients survived to discharge.

Conclusions: A novel national mEVLP procurement service is safe and effective even in challenging procurements. Such a program may be beneficial to increase organ utilization through expanded use of lung donors in general and DCD donors in particular. Further study is warranted for the impact on transplant program resources, organ utilization, and outcomes.