About Us

Our Research - Kidney & Pancreas Transplantation

PROJECT 4: The use of the pulsatile perfusion machine in deceased donor kidney transplantation and how it contributes to improve organ preservation

PROJECT SUMMARY:

This research project is regarding the use of the pulsatile perfusion machine in deceased donor kidney transplantation.  We have been using the machine for all deceased donors since 1978.  We have recently made the observation that kidneys tend to perform better after longer periods of time on the machine.  In fact, our group of patients who received kidneys that were on the machine for 36 to 50 hours, performed as well, if not better, than those that were on the machine for less than 36 hours.  We are currently in the process of publishing these data and working on grant submissions, specifically looking at the mechanisms that may explain how machine-perfusion contributes to improved preservation.  Perhaps machine perfusion results in the shedding or masking of immunologically active receptors on endothelial cells. 

What is a Pulsatile Perfusion Machine?

Perfusion is the introduction of a liquid into a tissue or an organ by circulating it through blood vessels or other channels within the body.

Machine perfusion (MP) is a technique used in organ transplantation as a means of preserving the organs which are to be transplanted.  To some degree, it emulates natural perfusion.  So far it has mainly been used in kidney transplantation.  It is an alternative to cold storage (CS).

Pulsatile perfusion is important because the quality of the organ at the time of transplant significantly influences both short & long term outcome.

GOAL:

We want to increase the number of precious kidneys available for transplantation by the use of the pulsatile perfusion machine.