Proof of Concept Design of an Ex-Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP) Device to Evaluate Optimal Ex Vivo Hemodynamic Environments for Donation After Cardiac Death (DCD) Lungs

PurposeCurrent commercially available EVLP solutions are designed to mimic physiological conditions support donor lungs outside of the human body. These have been effective at offering for donated after brain death but they limited in their ability cardiac death. To characterize hemodynamics utilizing altered purpose enhancing lung viability, a research device was devised.MethodsThe (fig. 1) is composed an incubator control ambient temperature, blood reservoir with oxygenator, continuous flow pump head, sensor, temperature and pressure transducers. Blood controlled by pumping sous vide water from into oxygenator. All sensors fed custom box signals displayed on Labview. A porcine harvested Glencoe, MN, flushed, chilled shipped overnight Houston, TX. Within 24 hours harvesting, perfused ventilated. Phosphate-buffered saline used perfusion rate 1.7 L/minute.ResultsAfter connected our 15 minutes, volume loss about 700 mL indicated severe edema as result extensive tissue damage stemming long duration between harvesting testing.ConclusionThe current provides ideal platform evaluate multiple that could alter outcomes. Future studies will focus effects variation, characteristics, ventilatory characteristics outcome DCD lungs. Current devised. The L/minute. After testing.