Is there life on the airway tree? A pilot study of bronchial cell vitality and tissue morphology in the ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) era of lung transplantation

• DOI: 10.1111/aor.14342
• Publication Date: 2022-06-19T19:33:41Z
• Authors: Massimo Boffini; Paola Cassoni; Alessandro Gambella; Erika Simonato; Luisa Delsedime; Matteo Marro; Vito Fanelli; Andrea Costamagna; Paolo Olivo Lausi; Paolo Solidoro; Fabrizio Scalini; Cristina Barbero; Luca Brazzi; Mauro Rinaldi; Luca Bertero
• Keywords: Ex vivo

Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) is a relevant procedure to increase the donor pool but could potentially airway tree ischemic injury risk.This study aimed evaluate direct effect of EVLP on by evaluating bronchial cell vitality and tissue signs series 117 rings collected from 40 conventional 19 EVLP-treated grafts. Bronchial related scraped epithelial cells were before surgical anastomosis.The preimplantation interval was significantly increased in graft group (p < 0.01). Conventional grafts presented viability percentages 47.07 ± 23.41 49.65 21.25 first second which did not differ (first 50.54 25.83 50.22 20.90 percentage). No significant differences terms histopathological features (edema, inflammatory infiltrate, mucosa ulceration) observed comparing samples. A comparison histopathology samples retrieved at different time intervals revealed no differences. Accordingly, major complications after transplant both groups.Based these data, we that impact preservation nor interfere with anastomosis healing, further supporting it as safe useful procedure.