Peritoneal cooling may provide improved protection for uncontrolled donors after cardiac death: an exploratory porcine study

Am J Transplant. 2009 Jun;9(6):1317-23. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2009.02633.x. Epub 2009 May 13.

Abstract

Uncontrolled donation after cardiac death (DCD) renal transplantation relies on rapid establishment of organ preservation interventions. We have developed a model of the uncontrolled DCD, comparing current in situ perfusion (ISP) techniques with additional peritoneal cooling (PC). Ten pigs were killed and subjected to a 2 h ischemia period. The ISP group modeled current DCD protocols. The PC group (PC) modeled current protocols plus PC. Two animals were used as controls and subjected to 2 h of warm ischemia. Core renal temperature and microdialysis markers of ischemia were measured. Preservation interventions began at 30 min, with rapid laparotomy and kidney recovery performed at 2 h, prior to machine perfusion viability testing. The final mean renal temperature achieved in the ISP group was 26.3 degrees C versus 16.9 degrees C in the PC group (p = 0.0001). A significant cryopreservation benefit was suggested by lower peak microdialysate lactate and glycerol levels (ISP vs. PC, p = 0.0003 and 0.0008), and the superiority of the PC group viability criteria (p = 0.0147). This pilot study has demonstrated significant temperature, ischemia protection and viability assessment benefits with the use of supplementary PC. The data suggests a need for further research to determine the potential for reductions in the rates of ischemia-related clinical phenomena for uncontrolled DCDs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cold Temperature*
  • Death*
  • Kidney Transplantation / methods
  • Organ Preservation / methods*
  • Organ Preservation Solutions
  • Perfusion
  • Peritoneal Cavity
  • Pilot Projects
  • Sus scrofa
  • Tissue Donors*

Substances

  • Organ Preservation Solutions