Transplant Library

This large open labelled multi-centre randomised control trial is an exciting development in the field of liver HMP. The key strength of this work is that 43% (n=27) of the HMP-O2 livers had continuous perfusion, having been placed on device at the donor. This is the first trial in liver HMP to do this and is an important development. Made possible by Organ Recovery Systems portable Lifeport Liver device, especially considering 81% travelled by air, a current limitation of the portable NMP devices. They demonstrated a nonsignificant reduction in EAD with 11% in HMP-O2 and 16% in SCS, while the finding is not significant it is in keeping with the 5 other published RCTs on HMP liver. The lack of significance may derive from the fact that within the intervention group only 24% were ECDs (including 5 DCD), upon sub-group analysis of these ECDs they find the reduction of EAD to be significant (20% in HMP-O2 and 33.3% in SCS p=0.004). This is in keeping with previous large RCTs that the beneficial effects of HMP-O2 are amplified in the ECD cohort, especially in DCDs seen in Rijn et al’s 2021 trial published in the New England Journal who perfused only DCD livers. None of their secondary outcomes reach significance, but with PNF only occurring in the SCS group with 3 patients and a further 2 (n=5 6.8%) went on to require re-transplant also due to ischaemic cholangiopathy. In HMP-O2 only 1 required retransplant, this was due to HAT. Biliary complications were nearly double in the SCS group (26.4% vs 12.7%) which is impressive, but again this failed to reach significance. The trends are encouraging, but the lack of significance is disappointing, the trial having not been powered for overall EAD rates. An increase cohort size and a focus on EADs could have led to more dramatic results with potentially significance in many of the outcomes. An interesting note is the preservation fluid used in HMP-O2 was Vasosol, a UW-like solution with the addition of nitric oxide donors and vasodilators, this is the first HMP RCT across all organs to utilise this solution and could, in part be responsible for some of the beneficial trends. Unfortunately, the study was not sufficiently powered to compare continuous HMP-O2 with end-ischaemic HMP-O2 and SCS, the overall storage duration being comparable, but the percentage of that time being perfusion obviously being highest in the continuous group. They demonstrate safety and non-inferior efficacy of a novel portable device, which as it becomes more popular and people become more familiar with placing livers on device at retrieval more data should emerge on continuous HMP-O2, this trial was an important step.

Aims:	To assess if HMP-O2 improves liver transplant outcomes compare to cold storage.
Interventions:	Livers were randomised to intervention, which was HMP-O2 on the Lifeport Liver Transporter device, perfused with Vasosol, or control, which was static cold storage.
Participants:	179 adult whole liver transplant recipients.
Outcomes:	The primary outcome was early allograft dysfunction (EAD) as defined by the Olthoff criteria. Secondary outcome measures were PNF, AKI, graft survival, biliary complications. Vascular complications and death. Additional exploratory outcomes were hospital LOS, ICU LOS, lactate clearance, bleeding, incisional hernia and SAEs.
Follow Up:	12 months

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

In liver transplantation, cold preservation induces ischemia, resulting in significant reperfusion injury. Hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HMP-O 2 ) has shown benefits compared to static cold storage (SCS) by limiting ischemia-reperfusion injury. This study reports outcomes using a novel portable HMP-O 2 device in the first US randomized control trial.

APPROACH AND RESULTS:

The PILOT trial (NCT03484455) was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, noninferiority trial, with participants randomized to HMP-O 2 or SCS. HMP-O 2 livers were preserved using the Lifeport Liver Transporter and Vasosol perfusion solution. The primary outcome was early allograft dysfunction. Noninferiority margin was 7.5%. From April 3, 2019, to July 12, 2022, 179 patients were randomized to HMP-O 2 (n=90) or SCS (n=89). The per-protocol cohort included 63 HMP-O 2 and 73 SCS. Early allograft dysfunction occurred in 11.1% HMP-O 2 (N=7) and 16.4% SCS (N=12). The risk difference between HMP-O 2 and SCS was -5.33% (one-sided 95% upper confidence limit of 5.81%), establishing noninferiority. The risk of graft failure as predicted by Liver Graft Assessment Following Transplant score at seven days (L-GrAFT 7 ) was lower with HMP-O 2 [median (IQR) 3.4% (2.4-6.5) vs. 4.5% (2.9-9.4), p =0.024]. Primary nonfunction occurred in 2.2% of all SCS (n=3, p =0.10). Biliary strictures occurred in 16.4% SCS (n=12) and 6.3% (n=4) HMP-O 2 ( p =0.18). Nonanastomotic biliary strictures occurred only in SCS (n=4).

CONCLUSIONS:

HMP-O 2 demonstrates safety and noninferior efficacy for liver graft preservation in comparison to SCS. Early allograft failure by L-GrAFT 7 was lower in HMP-O 2 , suggesting improved early clinical function. Recipients of HMP-O 2 livers also demonstrated a lower incidence of primary nonfunction and biliary strictures, although this difference did not reach significance.

Wolters Kluwer

Hypothermic oxygenated perfusion in liver transplantation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and matched studies

Tang G
Zhang L
Xia L
Zhang J
Wei Z
et al.

Int J Surg. 2024 Jan 1;110(1):464-477 doi: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000784.

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BACKGROUND:

Hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE) is a novel organ-preservation technology designed to optimize organ quality. However, the effects of HOPE on morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation remain unclear. This meta-analysis evaluated the potential benefits of HOPE in liver transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases were searched for articles published up to 15 June 2023 (updated on 12 August 2023). Mean differences (MDs), risk ratios (RRs), and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

RESULTS:

Eleven studies encompassing five randomized controlled trials and six matched studies were included, with a total of 1000 patients. HOPE did not reduce the incidence of major postoperative complications (RR 0.80), primary non-function (PNF) (RR 0.54), reperfusion syndrome (RR 0.92), hepatic artery thrombosis (RR 0.92), renal replacement therapy (RR 0.98), length of hospital stay (MD, -1.38 days), 1-year recipient death (RR 0.67), or intensive care unit stay (MD, 0.19 days) after liver transplantation. HOPE reduced the incidence of biliary complications (RR 0.74), non-anastomotic biliary strictures (NAS) (RR 0.34), early allograft dysfunction (EAD) (RR 0.54), and acute rejection (RR 0.54). In addition, HOPE improved the retransplantation (RR 0.42) and 1-year graft loss rates (RR 0.38).

CONCLUSIONS:

Compared with static cold storage (SCS), HOPE can reduce the incidence of biliary complications, NAS, EAD, and acute rejection and retransplantation rate after liver transplantation and improve the 1-year graft loss rate. These findings suggest that HOPE, when compared to SCS, can contribute to minimizing complications and enhancing graft survival in liver transplantation. Further research is needed to investigate long-term outcomes and confirm the promising advantages of HOPE in liver transplantation settings.

Non-ischaemic preservation of the donor heart in heart transplantation: protocol design and rationale for a randomised, controlled, multicentre clinical trial across eight European countries

Brouckaert J
Dellgren G
Wallinder A
Rega F

BMJ Open. 2023 Dec 28;13(12):e073729 doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073729.

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INTRODUCTION:

Ischaemic cold static storage (ICSS) is the gold standard in donor heart preservation. This ischaemic time frame renders a time constraint and risk for primary graft dysfunction. Cold oxygenated heart perfusion, known as non-ischaemic heart preservation (NIHP), theoretically limits the ischaemic time, while holding on to the known advantage of hypothermia and cardioplegia, a low metabolic rate.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS:

The NIHP 2019 study is an international, randomised, controlled, open, multicentre clinical trial in 15 heart transplantation centres in 8 European countries and includes 202 patients undergoing heart transplantation, allocated 1:1 to NIHP or ICSS. Enrolment is estimated to be 30 months after study initiation. The patients are followed for 12 months after transplantation.The primary objective is to evaluate the effect of NIHP on survival, allograft function and rejection episodes within the first 30 days after transplantation. The secondary objectives are to compare treatment groups with respect to survival, allograft function, cardiac biomarkers, rejection episodes, allograft vasculopathy, adverse events and adverse device effects within 12 months.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION:

This protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee (EC) for Research UZ/KU Leuven, Belgium, the coordinating EC in Germany (Bei Der LMU München), the coordinating EC in the UK (West Midlands-South Birmingham Research), the EC of Hospital Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain, the EC of Göteborg, Sweden, the coordinating EC in France, the EC of Padova, Italy and the EC of the University of Vienna, Austria. This study will be conducted in accordance with current local regulations and international applicable regulatory requirements according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and ISO14155:2020. Main primary and secondary outcomes will be published on modified intention-to-treat population and per-protocol population.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:

NCT03991923.

Intravenous Ascorbic Acid for the Prevention of Postreperfusion Syndrome in Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Gajate L
de la Hoz I
Espiño M
Martin Gonzalez MDC
Fernandez Martin C
et al.

JMIR Res Protoc. 2023 Dec 15;12:e50091 doi: 10.2196/50091.

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BACKGROUND:

Liver transplantation is the last therapeutic option for patients with end-stage liver disease. Postreperfusion syndrome (PRS), defined as a fall in mean arterial pressure of more than 30% within the first 5 minutes after reperfusion of at least 1 minute, can occur in liver transplantation as a deep hemodynamic instability with associated hyperfibrinolysis immediately after reperfusion of the new graft. Its incidence has remained unchanged since it was first described in 1987. PRS is related to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, whose pathophysiology involves the release of several mediators from both the donor and the recipient. The antioxidant effect of ascorbic acid has been studied in resuscitating patients with septic shock and burns. Even today, there are publications with conflicting results, and there is a need for further studies to confirm or rule out the usefulness of this drug in this group of patients. The addition of ascorbic acid to preservation solutions used in solid organ transplantation is under investigation to harness its antioxidant effect and mitigate I/R injury. Since PRS could be considered a manifestation of I/R injury, we believe that the possible beneficial effect of ascorbic acid on the occurrence of PRS should be investigated.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to assess the benefits of ascorbic acid over saline in the development of PRS in adult liver transplantation.

METHODS:

We plan to conduct a single-center randomized controlled trial at the Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal in Spain. A total of 70 participants aged 18 years or older undergoing liver transplantation will be randomized to receive either ascorbic acid or saline. The primary outcome will be the difference between groups in the incidence of PRS. The randomized controlled trial will be conducted under conditions of respect for fundamental human rights and ethical principles governing biomedical research involving human participants and in accordance with the international recommendations contained in the Declaration of Helsinki and its subsequent revisions.

RESULTS:

The enrollment process began in 2020. A total of 35 patients have been recruited so far. Data cleaning and analysis are expected to occur in the first months of 2024. Results are expected around the middle of 2024.

CONCLUSIONS:

We believe that this study could be particularly relevant because it will be the first to analyze the clinical effect of ascorbic acid in liver transplantation. Moreover, we believe that this study fills an important gap in the knowledge of the potential benefits of ascorbic acid in the field of liver transplantation, particularly in relation to PRS.

TRIAL REGISTRATION:

European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database 2020-000123-39; https://tinyurl.com/2cfzddw8; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05754242; https://tinyurl.com/346vw7sm.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID):

DERR1-10.2196/50091.

Effects of machine perfusion strategies on different donor types in liver transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Liang A
Cheng W
Cao P
Cai S
Zhang L
et al.

Int J Surg. 2023 Nov 1;109(11):3617-3630 doi: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000661.

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BACKGROUND:

The increasing use of extended criteria donors (ECD) sets higher requirements for graft preservation. Machine perfusion (MP) improves orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) outcomes, but its effects on different donor types remains unclear. The authors' aim was to assess the effects of hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP), normothermic machine perfusion (NMP), or normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) versus static cold storage (SCS) on different donor types.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A literature search comparing the efficacy of MP versus SCS in PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE database was conducted. A meta-analysis was performed to obtain pooled effects of MP on ECD, donation after circulatory death (DCD), and donor after brainstem death.

RESULTS:

Thirty nine studies were included (nine randomized controlled trials and 30 cohort studies). Compared with SCS, HMP significantly reduced the risk of non-anastomotic biliary stricture (NAS) [odds ratio (OR) 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.26-0.72], major complications (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.39-0.78), and early allograft dysfunction (EAD) (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.32-0.65) and improved 1-year graft survival (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.55-3.62) in ECD-OLT. HMP also reduced primary non-function (PNF) (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.18-0.92) and acute rejection (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.40-0.97). NMP only reduced major complications in ECD-OLT (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.34-0.94), without favorable effects on other complications and survival. NRP lowered the overall risk of NAS (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.11-0.68), PNF (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.22-0.85), and EAD (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.42-0.80) and meanwhile improved 1-year graft survival (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.65-3.49) in control DCD-OLT.

CONCLUSIONS:

HMP might currently be considered for marginal livers as it comprehensively improves ECD-OLT outcomes. NMP assists some outcomes in ECD-OLT, but more evidence regarding NMP-ECD is warranted. NRP significantly improves DCD-OLT outcomes and is recommended where longer non-touch periods exist.

A randomized-controlled trial of ischemia-free liver transplantation for end-stage liver disease

Guo Z
Zhao Q
Jia Z
Huang C
Wang D
et al.

J Hepatol. 2023 Aug;79(2):394-402 doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.04.010.

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CET Conclusion

Reviewer:

Mr John Fallon, Centre for Evidence in Transplantation, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences University of Oxford

Conclusion:

This small unblinded randomised trial was conducted in a single high volume transplant centre in China by the group who have been pioneering the ischaemia-free liver transplant technique since its fist publication in 2018. Images and videos of their technique have been included in their 3 publications on their reports and protocols. The IFLT cohort was n=32 and the CLT n=33, of these 2 (6%) in the IFLT experience EAD and 8 (24%) in the CLT (p=0.044) which was the primary endpoint. In some of the secondary endpoints they found significant improvement with IFLT: peak ALT and ASK at 7 days, total bilirubin, post-op lactate positive perfusate microbial culture and non-anastomotic strictures at 12 months. When scrutinising these strictures, there were 2 in IFLT (one mild and one moderate) and 9 in CLT (five mild and four moderate) none of which required intervention. The marked reduction in post-reperfusion syndrome is important 3 (9%) in IFLT and 21 (64%) in CLT given the risk of post-reperfusion cardiac arrest. They found no significant differences in primary non-function, over-all hospital stay, anastomotic stenosis (though the rate was higher in IFLT) and, graft and patient survival. They present an impressive success given the complexity of the procedure, however this is its key limitation. Despite the improvement in EAD, strictures and post-reperfusion syndrome there was no measurable benefit in patient or graft survival within the first year and none of the strictures require intervention. It was done in a set of low risk DBD donors, a cohort in which similar benefits have been seen with NMP alone. There are technical limitations, it was performed with a liver assist device which is not transportable, thus donor and recipient must be in the same location. The technique is of interest and a great technical achievement, but a study of larger numbers with a wider range of DBD donors and longer-term follow-up is required.

Expert Review

Reviewer:

Mr John O'Callaghan, Centre for Evidence in Transplantation, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences University of Oxford

Review:

This is a very interesting randomised controlled trial in liver transplantation that has the potential to significantly change practice and improve transplant outcomes. 68 liver transplant recipients from donation after brain death were randomised to standard treatment or for an “Ischemia-Free Liver Transplant” (IFLT). The trial was conducted at a single hospital in China. The study was adequately randomised, but the clinical team could not be blinded to the intervention, understandably. For the intervention group, the Liver Assist device (Organ assist, The Netherlands) was used to establish in situ normothermic perfusion. The liver was then procured and moved to the reservoir of the Liver Assist for ex situ normothermic machine perfusion and moved to the recipient locality for transplant. For the liver implantation to the recipient, the anastomoses of the inferior vena cava, portal vein, and hepatic artery were performed under continuous in situ normothermic machine perfusion. Machine perfusion was discontinued after the donor liver had been revascularized. Then the biliary tract was reconstructed. There was therefore zero cold ischemic time for the IFLT group. Mean cold ischaemic time in the standard care group was approximately 7 hours, and mean normothermic perfusion time in the IFLT group was approximately 7 hours. The primary outcome was Early Allograft Dysfunction (EAD) and this was significantly reduced by IFLT (6% versus 24%), as were peak ALT, AST and bilirubin levels. Post-reperfusion syndrome was dramatically reduced, from 64% to 9%. Non-anastomotic biliary strictures were also significantly reduced (8% versus 36%), although this was recorded as seen on protocol MRCP. This clinical trial has shown a dramatic reduction in the ischemia reperfusion injury of transplant livers through the novel use of technology to remove the cold ischemic phase of the organ preservation period. The donor liver is kept warm and perfused all through the process of procurement from the donor body, preservation outside the body, and during the implant into the recipient up until the moment of reperfusion with the recipient’s blood. The technique clearly improved early transplant function. The reduction in non-anastomotic strictures was largely asymptomatic, so it remains to be seen if this technique can significantly reduce the risk of symptomatic strictures in higher risk livers.

Aims:	To compare outcomes in the novel technique of ischaemia-free liver transplantation (IFLT) to conventional liver transplantation (CLT).
Interventions:	The technique being tested is IFLT compared with CLT. IFLT is a complex technique in which during DBD donation the perfusion cannulas of a Liver Assist can be placed in the donor liver prior to cessation of donor circulation. The arterial canula placed via the splenic artery, portal vein via and vein graft and the outflow canula into the infra-hepatic cava. The perfusion can then seamlessly be transferred from donor circulation to NMP, the liver is then procured and continued NMP until implantation. The supra-hepatic caval (piggyback), portal vein and hepatic arterial anastomoses are then performed in the recipient while NMP continues, and once completed the NMP cannulas are removed, and hepatic perfusion transferred from NMP to recipient without interruption of perfusion.
Participants:	65 adult whole liver-only transplant recipients.
Outcomes:	The primary endpoint was early allograft dysfunction (EAD) within 7 days as defined by the Olthoff criteria. The secondary endpoints included primary non-function, post-reperfusion syndrome, biliary complications, post-reperfusion lactate, post-transplant LFTs, patient and graft survival at 1,6, & 12 months, ITU stay and overall hospital stay.
Follow Up:	12 months

BACKGROUND & AIMS:

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) has thus far been considered as an inevitable component of organ transplantation, compromising outcomes, and limiting organ availability. Ischemia-free organ transplantation is a novel approach designed to avoid IRI, with the potential to improve outcomes.

METHODS:

In this randomized-controlled clinical trial, recipients of livers from donors after brain death were randomly assigned to receive either an ischemia-free or a 'conventional' transplant. The primary endpoint was the incidence of early allograft dysfunction. Secondary endpoints included complications related to graft IRI.

RESULTS:

Out of 68 randomized patients, 65 underwent transplants and were included in the analysis. 32 patients received ischemia-free liver transplantation (IFLT), and 33 received conventional liver transplantation (CLT). Early allograft dysfunction occurred in two recipients (6%) randomized to IFLT and in eight (24%) randomized to CLT (difference -18%; 95% CI -35% to -1%; p = 0.044). Post-reperfusion syndrome occurred in three recipients (9%) randomized to IFLT and in 21 (64%) randomized to CLT (difference -54%; 95% CI -74% to -35%; p <0.001). Non-anastomotic biliary strictures diagnosed with protocol magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography at 12 months were observed in two recipients (8%) randomized to IFLT and in nine (36%) randomized to CLT (difference, -28%; 95% CI -50% to -7%; p = 0.014). The comprehensive complication index at 1 year after transplantation was 30.48 (95% CI 23.25-37.71) in the IFLT group vs. 42.14 (95% CI 35.01-49.26) in the CLT group (difference -11.66; 95% CI -21.81 to -1.51; p = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONS:

Among patients with end-stage liver disease, IFLT significantly reduced complications related to IRI compared to a conventional approach.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:

chictr.org. ChiCTR1900021158.

IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS:

Ischemia-reperfusion injury has thus far been considered as an inevitable event in organ transplantation, compromising outcomes and limiting organ availability. Ischemia-free liver transplantation is a novel approach of transplanting donor livers without interruption of blood supply. We showed that in patients with end-stage liver disease, ischemia-free liver transplantation, compared with a conventional approach, led to reduced complications related to ischemia-reperfusion injury in this randomized trial. This new approach is expected to change the current practice in organ transplantation, improving transplant outcomes, increasing organ utilization, while providing a clinical model to delineate the impact of organ injury on alloimmunity.

European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) Consensus Statement on the Role of Pancreas Machine Perfusion to Increase the Donor Pool for Beta Cell Replacement Therapy

Ferrer-Fàbrega J
Mesnard B
Messner F
Doppenberg JB
Drachenberg C
et al.

Transpl Int. 2023 Jul 19;36:11374 doi: 10.3389/ti.2023.11374.

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The advent of Machine Perfusion (MP) as a superior form of preservation and assessment for cold storage of both high-risk kidney's and the liver presents opportunities in the field of beta-cell replacement. It is yet unknown whether such techniques, when applied to the pancreas, can increase the pool of suitable donor organs as well as ameliorating the effects of ischemia incurred during the retrieval process. Recent experimental models of pancreatic MP appear promising. Applications of MP to the pancreas, needs refinement regarding perfusion protocols and organ viability assessment criteria. To address the "Role of pancreas machine perfusion to increase the donor pool for beta cell replacement," the European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) assembled a dedicated working group comprising of experts to review literature pertaining to the role of MP as a method of improving donor pancreas quality as well as quantity available for transplant, and to develop guidelines founded on evidence-based reviews in experimental and clinical settings. These were subsequently refined during the Consensus Conference when this took place in Prague.

The role of flavin mononucleotide (FMN) as a potentially clinically relevant biomarker to predict the quality of kidney grafts during hypothermic (oxygenated) machine perfusion

van de Leemkolk FEM
Lo Faro ML
Shaheed S
Mulvey JF
Huurman VAL
et al.

PLoS One. 2023 Jun 23;18(6):e0287713 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287713.

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CET Conclusion

Reviewer:

Mr John O'Callaghan, Centre for Evidence in Transplantation, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences University of Oxford

Conclusion:

This paper reports on a biomarker study conducted alongside the Consortium for Organ Preservation in Europe (COPE) study that compared Oxygenated HMP with standard HMP prior to kidney transplantation. The clinical results have been published previously (Jochmans et al 2020). Flavin Mononucleotide (FMN) is a cofactor for the mitochondrial membrane complex-I, which dissociates from the complex following ischaemia-reperfusion injury. It was therefore speculated that release of FMN in the perfusate whilst on machine perfusion may be an indicator for ischaemic injury, with some evidence in liver transplantation that correlates with poor lactate clearance and early graft loss. Analysis was done by fluorescence spectroscopy and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The primary analysis was to correlate FMN levels in machine perfusate immediately prior to transplantation with early and late post-transplant outcomes. Fluorescence in the FMN region was found to significantly increase during the preservation period in kidneys preserved with both oxygenated and standard HMP. As these profiles were similar, results from both groups were combined for the further analysis to increase sensitivity. Despite this approach, FMN was not found to be a clinically relevant biomarker to predict early or late graft function. The authors conducted a validation process, which suggested that the increase in fluorescence during perfusion may not be specifically related to FMN and therefore it may not be reliable perfusate biomarker in kidney transplantation.

Aims:	This study aimed to investigate the ability of flavin mononucleotide (FMN) to predict the quality of kidney grafts during hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) with oxygenation (HMPO2).
Interventions:	Kidneys were randomised to receive either HMPO2 or HMP.
Participants:	197 kidney pairs (n=394) were randomised, out of which 220 were transplanted.
Outcomes:	The primary outcome was the association between end of perfusion (P3) and early transplant outcomes (immediate graft function, DGF, primary non-function (PNF) and serum creatinine (SCr)) and late post-transplant outcomes (estimated creatinine clearance, graft failure and biopsy proven rejection). The secondary outcomes were associations for the P1 and P2 timepoints (beginning and during perfusion) and the delta perfusion (ΔP) with early and late posttransplant outcomes.
Follow Up:	12 months posttransplantation.

Hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) provides preservation superior to cold storage and may allow for organ assessment prior to transplantation. Since flavin mononucleotide (FMN) in perfusate has been proposed as a biomarker of organ quality during HMP of donor livers, the aim of this study was to validate FMN as a biomarker for organ quality in the context of HMP preserved kidneys. Perfusate samples (n = 422) from the paired randomised controlled COPE-COMPARE-trial, comparing HMP with oxygenation (HMPO2) versus standard HMP in kidneys, were used. Fluorescence intensity (FI) was assessed using fluorescence spectroscopy (excitation 450nm; emission 500-600nm) and validated by fluorospectrophotometer and targeted liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Fluorescence intensity (FI)(ex450;em500-600) increased over time during machine perfusion in both groups (p<0.0001). This increase was similar for both groups (p = 0.83). No correlation, however, was found between FI(ex450;em500-600) and post-transplant outcomes, including day 5 or 7 serum creatinine (p = 0.11; p = 0.16), immediate graft function (p = 0.91), creatinine clearance and biopsy-proven rejection at one year (p = 0.14; p = 0.59). LC-MS/MS validation experiments of samples detected FMN in only one perfusate sample, whilst the majority of samples with the highest fluorescence (n = 37/38, 97.4%) remained negative. In the context of clinical kidney HMP, fluorescence spectroscopy unfortunately appears to be not specific and probably unsuitable for FMN. This study shows that FMN does not classify as a clinically relevant predictive biomarker of kidney graft function after transplantation.

End-ischemic hypothermic oxygenated perfusion for extended criteria donors in liver transplantation: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial-HOPExt

Pradat P
Pantel S
Maynard M
Lalande L
Thevenon S
et al.

Trials. 2023 Jun 6;24(1):379 doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07402-0.

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CET Conclusion

Reviewer:

Mr John O'Callaghan, Centre for Evidence in Transplantation, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences University of Oxford

Conclusion:

This paper documents in detail the study protocol for a trial of end-ischaemic hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE) in extended criteria donor livers. There is a pragmatic element to the design, as livers will be preserved by static cold storage and then in the study group will receive 1-4 hours of HOPE. By concentrating on ECD livers, the study is more likely to find a significant impact on the primary outcome of early allograft dysfunction. The study is powered (80%) for a reduction in early allograft dysfunction from 30% to 15%, accounting for 10% dropout rate. Randomization will occur after allocation of the liver graft to a recipient. Allocation concealment is maintained, but there is no blinding of the surgical team nor patient. Data analysts will be blinded to group allocation. Interestingly the trial commenced in 2019 and is ongoing. This paper is published in order to “prevent biased analysis of trial outcomes and improve transparency of the trial results”. The study is funded by the French Ministry of Health and is being conducted at 8 transplant centres in France.

Aims:	This is a protocol for a randomised controlled trial that aims to determine the efficacy of hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE) when used prior to transplantation of extended criteria donor (ECD) liver grafts obtained from brain-dead donors, for reduction of early allograft dysfunction (EAD) post-operation in comparison to simple cold static storage.
Interventions:	ECD liver grafts will be randomly assigned to receive either HOPE or static cold storage.
Participants:	Adult patients (≥ 18 years) transplanted with a liver graft harvested from a brain-dead ECD.
Outcomes:	The primary outcomes are early allograft dysfunction (EAD) and primary non-function (PNF). The secondary outcomes include quality of conservation; ischemia–reperfusion injuries, intra-operative events; 90-day morbidity and mortality; duration of intermediate care unit stay and total hospital stay; actuarial graft and patient’s survival rates; and costs of liver transplantation with ECD grafts using HOPE or not and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio.
Follow Up:	12 months (± 30 days) following transplantation (36 months maximum).

BACKGROUND:

Given the scarce donor supply, an increasing number of so-called marginal or extended criteria donor (ECD) organs are used for liver transplantation. These ECD liver grafts are however known to be associated with a higher rate of early allograft dysfunction and primary non-function because of a greater vulnerability to ischemia-reperfusion injury. The end-ischemic hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE) technique may improve outcomes of liver transplantation with ECD grafts by decreasing reperfusion injury.

METHODS:

HOPExt trial is a comparative open-label, multicenter, national, prospective, randomized, controlled study, in two parallel groups, using static cold storage, the gold standard procedure, as control. The trial will enroll adult patients on the transplant waiting list for liver failure or liver cirrhosis and/or liver malignancy requiring liver transplantation and receiving an ECD liver graft from a brain-dead donor. In the experimental group, ECD liver grafts will first undergo a classical static cold (4 °C) storage followed by a hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE) for a period of 1 to 4 h. The control group will consist of the classic static cold storage which is the gold standard procedure in liver transplantation. The primary objective of this trial is to study the efficacy of HOPE used before transplantation of ECD liver grafts from brain-dead donors in reducing postoperative early allograft dysfunction within the first 7 postoperative days compared to simple cold static storage.

DISCUSSION:

We present in this protocol all study procedures in regard to the achievement of the HOPExt trial, to prevent biased analysis of trial outcomes and improve the transparency of the trial results. Enrollment of patients in the HOPExt trial has started on September 10, 2019, and is ongoing.

TRIAL REGISTRATION:

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03929523. Registered on April 29, 2019, before the start of inclusion.

Outcomes of Kidney Perfusion Techniques in Transplantation from Deceased Donors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Ghoneima AS
Sousa Da Silva RX
Gosteli MA
Barlow AD
Kron P

J Clin Med. 2023 Jun 6;12(12) doi: 10.3390/jcm12123871.

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The high demand for organs in kidney transplantation and the expansion of the donor pool have led to the widespread implementation of machine perfusion technologies. In this study, we aim to provide an up-to-date systematic review of the developments in this expanding field over the past 10 years, with the aim of answering the question: "which perfusion technique is the most promising technique in kidney transplantation?" A systematic review of the literature related to machine perfusion in kidney transplantation was performed. The primary outcome measure was delayed graft function (DGF), and secondary outcomes included rates of rejection, graft survival, and patient survival rates after 1 year. Based on the available data, a meta-analysis was performed. The results were compared with data from static cold storage, which is still the standard of care in many centers worldwide. A total of 56 studies conducted in humans were included, and 43 studies reported outcomes of hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP), with a DGF rate of 26.4%. A meta-analysis of 16 studies showed significantly lower DGF rates in the HMP group compared to those of static cold storage (SCS). Five studies reported outcomes of hypothermic machine perfusion + O2, with an overall DGF rate of 29.7%. Two studies explored normothermic machine perfusion (NMP). These were pilot studies, designed to assess the feasibility of this perfusion approach in the clinical setting. Six studies reported outcomes of normothermic regional perfusion (NRP). The overall incidence of DGF was 71.5%, as it was primarily used in uncontrolled DCD (Maastricht category I-II). Three studies comparing NRP to in situ cold perfusion showed a significantly lower rate of DGF with NRP. The systematic review and meta-analysis provide evidence that dynamic preservation strategies can improve outcomes following kidney transplantation. More recent approaches such as normothermic machine perfusion and hypothermic machine perfusion + O2 do show promising results but need further results from the clinical setting. This study shows that the implementation of perfusion strategies could play an important role in safely expanding the donor pool.

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