• Ahmed E Hozain, Yuliya Tipograf, Meghan R Pinezich, Katherine M Cunningham, Rachel Donocoff, Dawn Queen, Kenmond Fung, Charles C Marboe, Brandon A Guenthart, John D O'Neill, Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, and Matthew Bacchetta.
• Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, NY.
• J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. 2020 Apr 1; 159 (4): 1640-1653.e18.

ObjectivesLung remains the least-utilized solid organ for transplantation. Efforts to recover donor lungs with reversible injuries using ex vivo perfusion systems are limited to <24 hours of support. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of extending normothermic extracorporeal lung support to 4 days using cross-circulation with conscious swine.MethodsA swine behavioral training program and custom enclosure were developed to enable multiday cross-circulation between extracorporeal lungs and recipient swine. Lungs were ventilated and perfused in a normothermic chamber for 4 days. Longitudinal analyses of extracorporeal lungs (ie, functional assessments, multiscale imaging, cytokine quantification, and cellular assays) and recipient swine (eg, vital signs and blood and tissue analyses) were performed.ResultsThroughout 4 days of normothermic support, extracorporeal lung function was maintained (arterial oxygen tension/inspired oxygen fraction >400 mm Hg; compliance >20 mL/cm H2O), and recipient swine were hemodynamically stable (lactate <3 mmol/L; pH, 7.42 ± 0.05). Radiography revealed well-aerated lower lobes and consolidation in upper lobes of extracorporeal lungs, and bronchoscopy showed healthy airways without edema or secretions. In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin (IL) 4, IL-6, and IL-10 levels increased less than 6-fold, whereas interferon gamma, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-2, IL-8, IL-12, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels decreased from baseline to day 4. Histologic evaluations confirmed an intact blood-gas barrier and outstanding preservation of airway and alveolar architecture. Cellular viability and metabolism in extracorporeal lungs were confirmed after 4 days.ConclusionsWe demonstrate feasibility of normothermic maintenance of extracorporeal lungs for 4 days by cross-circulation with conscious swine. Cross-circulation approaches could support the recovery of damaged lungs and enable organ bioengineering to improve transplant outcomes.Copyright © 2019 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

23 keywords...

hide…