Summary
Background Liver organs suffer a tremendous degree of ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI) during transplantation. The injury stems from the interruption of blood flow and depletion of nutrients to the organ in the period between donor organ procurement, preservation and transplantation into the recipient. Cell injury or death and metabolic changes accompany this cessation of blood flow and liver cells are further compromised upon revascularization of the organ in a process known as reperfusion injury. IRI is a significant problem and causes up to 12% of early organ failure and 15% to 25% of long-term graft dysfunction. Post-reperfusion syndrome has an incidence rate of up to 30% and can cause acute cardiovascular collapse leading to acute death of the patients. Moreover, IRI contributes to the ongoing crisis of transplantable organs because many potential organs from deceased donors are particularly susceptible to IRI. As such, these organs are discarded since these organs would lack sufficient function when transplanted. Currently, there is no procedure or treatment to mitigate these effects.
Innovation
Dr. Johnny C. Hong, a Professor in the Department of Surgery and UCLA Pfleger Liver Institute, has developed a novel solution and system to minimize IRI associated with liver transplantation. The invention serves to replenish exhausted nutrients and resuscitate the organ before revascularization. In a swine model, use of the novel solution and system demonstrated enhanced liver function and improved survival compared to conventional approaches. This system may salvage livers, deemed to have incurred severe degree of ischemic injury and discarded, to transplantable organs. The system could potentially be applied to other transplantable organs. A solution and system to alleviate organ damage from IRI would have significant consequences on patient outcomes as well as the availability of transplantable organs. Over 2000 patients die annually in the United States while awaiting a liver transplant. Thus, increasing the number of available livers for organ transplantation could have huge benefit for the 16,000 patients awaiting a new liver.
Applications
Liver resuscitation before transplantation. Other transplantable organ resuscitation (e.g. kidney, pancreas, pancreas, lung, etc.)
Advantages
The invention represents the first type of organ resuscitation technology for transplantation procedures.
State Of Development
Dr. Hong's group has conducted preliminary studies in animal models. Using the novel system and solution, they have observed improved post-operative survival, reduced levels of markers of liver damage, and improved liver cell viability.