The use of normothermic liver preservation in combined liver and lung transplantation: A single-center experience

Abstract

Combined liver and lung transplantation (CLLT) is indicated in patients with both end-stage liver and lung disease. Ex-situ normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) has been previously used for extended normothermic lung preservation in CLLT. We aim to describe our single-center experience using ex-situ NMP for extended normothermic liver preservation in CLLT. Four CLLTs were performed from 2019 to 2020 with the lung transplanted first for all patients. Median ex-situ pump time for the liver was 413 min (IQR 400–424). Over a median follow-up of 15 months (IQR 14–19), all patients were alive and doing well. Normothermic extended liver preservation is a safe method to allow prolonged cold ischemia using normothermic perfusion of the liver during CLLT.