Normothermic kidney perfusion: An overview of protocols and strategies

• DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16307
• Publication Date: 2020-09-17T18:28:15Z
• Authors: Tegwen R. Elliott; Michael L. Nicholson; Sarah A. Hosgood
• Keywords: organ perfusion and preservation; Cold Ischemia; kidney (allograft) function/dysfunction; Organ Preservation; clinical research/practice; Kidney; Kidney Transplantation; 3. Good health; Perfusion; Review Literature as Topic; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; organ transplantation in general

Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) technologies are emerging as an important adjunct in organ preservation and transplantation. NMP can enable the reduction or avoidance of cold ischemia and allows for pretransplant measurement of function and metabolic status to assess the suitability of the organ for transplantation. The key requirement of NMP is to provide an environment that is protective to the organ, ensures optimal oxygen delivery and supports metabolic function. Red blood cell-based solutions, artificial hemoglobin solutions, and acellular solutions have all been utilized in NMP. However, there is no clear consensus on perfusion protocols. A period of NMP after hypothermic preservation is the most commonly used strategy. As an alternative, several groups have developed and tested the feasibility of more prolonged periods of NMP. There are only a few reports of the application of NMP in clinical kidney transplantation and each uses different approach and conditions. This review details the rationale for NMP protocols considering duration of NMP and different perfusate compositions in experimental and clinical models. We also include a discussion on the mechanistic action of NMP, comparison of subnormothermic and hypothermic conditions, the different logistical approaches and future requirements.