Are we on track to increase organ utilization? An analysis of machine perfusion preservation for liver transplantation in the United States.

BACKGROUND

Efforts to improve the quality of marginal grafts for transplantation are essential. Machine perfusion preservation appears as a promising solution.

METHODS

The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database was queried for deceased liver donor records between 2016 and 2022. The primary outcome of interest was the organ nonutilization rate. Long-term graft and patient survival among extended criteria donors (ECDs) were also analyzed.

RESULTS

During the study period, out of 54 578 liver grafts recovered for transplant, 5085 (9.3%) were nonutilized. Multivariable analysis identified normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) preservation as the only predictor associated with a reduction in graft nonutilization (OR = 0.12; 95% CI = 0.06-0.023, p < 0.001). Further analysis of ECD grafts that were transplanted revealed comparable 1-,2- and 3-years graft survival (89%/88%/82% vs. 90%/85%/81%, p = 0.60), and patient survival (92%/91%/84% vs. 92%/88%/84%, p = 0.65) between grafts that underwent MP vs. those who did not, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Liver nonutilization rates in the United States are at an all-time high. Available data, most likely including cases from clinical trials, showed that NMP reduced the odds of organ nonutilization by 12% among the entire deceased donor pool and by 16% among grafts from ECD. Collective efforts and further evidence reflecting day-to-day clinical practice are needed to fully reach the potential of MP for liver transplant.