Perfusion of donor organs
Donor organ perfusion is a technology designed to maintain the viability of organs from withdrawal to transplantation. The process involves connecting the organs to a perfusion device that circulates oxygenated blood or a special perfusion solution through the organ. This helps to maintain the organ's function and structure, and reduces tissue damage
and can prolong the time it takes for the organ to be safely transplanted. Perfusion also allows for a more thorough assessment of the organ's condition before transplantation, increasing the likelihood of a successful transplant.
Lung transplantation is an opportunity of rescuing life of patients whose respiratory failure is serious and all other therapeutic measures have been unsuccessful in treating the following diseases:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Cystic fibrosis.
- Pulmonary fibrosis (connective tissue disease).
- Bronchiectasis
- Exogenous allergic alveolitis (allergic inflammation of air sacs).
- Sarcoidosis (inflammatory disease with changes in tissues).
- Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the pulmonary blood vessels).
Lung transplantation requires an especially precise matching of the height and the weight of a donor and a recipient, as well as careful preparation of a donor. If the heart has been damaged by the pulmonary disease already, combined heart and lung transplantation may be required.