Evolving Trend of EVLP: Advancements and Emerging Pathways

Abstract

Lung transplant augmentation in the waiting list is impeded by donor lung shortage with a low percentage of procurement. Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) was recognized to have the capacity of providing a platform to preserve, assess, recondition, and even mange existing diseases in rejected donor lungs to expand the donor pool. This review aims to provide the most advanced experimental evidence of EVLP application and perspective as a platform providing qualified donor lungs. Literature review using PubMed, Medscape, Clinical Trials, and Cochrane databases was performed. Data was collected and analyzed. From a view point of publisher, current research centers with their paper contribution volume are also presented to illustrate the future trend of EVLP academically. EVLP incubated donor lungs could have a comparable outcome with conventional transplants. Further interventional studies have shown growing interest in and expectations on EVLP platform as pathways to determine graft quality, to bridge a critical phase of the initial rejected organs and to predict prognosis or complications in an early stage. EVLP is also considered as a tissue regeneration translational research environment with multidisciplinary potential to enhance the recovery and rehabilitation after surgery and advance pulmonary medicine. Ongoing clinical trials and accelerated procedure modulation with commercialization of EVLP are leading to “centralization” organ preparation model, opening a new era of life-change health innovation.