Machine could make more donated lungs suitable for transplant

[A LIFE-SAVING BREAKTHROUGH: MACHINE PERFUSION TECHNOLOGY BOOSTS LUNG TRANSPLANT SUCCESS RATES]

An innovative medical device designed to preserve donor lungs outside the body has the potential to drastically improve lung transplantation outcomes in the UK, according to new recommendations. The technology, known as the XVIVO perfusion system, could rescue up to 80% of donor lungs currently deemed unsuitable for transplantation, addressing critical shortages in the national organ donation system.

The UK faces significant challenges in lung transplant availability, with over 170 patients—including six children—awaiting life-saving transplants. Delays are common, with many waiting a year or longer, and urgent cases risking mortality before a compatible organ becomes available. Current data indicates only 23% of donated lungs are ultimately used, often discarded due to quality concerns or logistical constraints such as staffing shortages and operating room availability. The new guidance aims to mitigate these barriers by standardizing the use of perfusion technology across all transplant centers nationwide.

Developed by medical device company Organ Care Systems, the XVIVO system simulates physiological conditions by maintaining lungs at body temperature, circulating plasma-like fluid, and ventilating them to mimic natural breathing. This process allows medical teams to assess organ viability, treat infections, remove excess fluid, and restore collapsed tissue—significantly improving the chances of successful transplantation.

While the system has been piloted at three adult transplant centers, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) is now recommending its nationwide adoption in a four-year trial to evaluate its clinical and economic impact. The proposal emphasizes equitable access, ensuring smaller or rural transplant centers can leverage the technology despite resource limitations. Dr. Anastasia Chalkidou, Nice’s health technology director, highlighted the urgency of the issue: “Every donated lung is a precious gift, and too many are currently discarded. This technology provides transplant teams with critical time and data to maximize the use of organs that would otherwise go unused.”

The initiative aligns with broader efforts to address the UK’s lagging lung transplant rates compared to other developed nations and its poor respiratory health outcomes in Europe. Jonathan Blades of Asthma + Lung UK called the advancement a “significant step” toward improving survival rates and reducing organ waste. Prof. Andrew Fisher, a transplant specialist, emphasized the need for rigorous evidence to quantify the machine’s impact on transplant access and efficiency.

The proposed adoption reflects a strategic shift to enhance equity in organ allocation and bolster the UK’s transplant infrastructure. If implemented, the technology could save hundreds of lives annually by transforming previously unusable donor lungs into viable transplants, offering renewed hope to patients on waiting lists.

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