In this ex vivo lung perfusion study (EVLP), the effect of ischemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplantation was studied in donor pig lungs. In the treatment group, the perfusate was also adsorbed through a CytoSorb adsorber, whereas the control lungs were perfused according to the standard protocol (n = 5, each). Variables of EVLP physiology and biochemistry were monitored. Cytokine concentrations in the perfusate were markedly lower with Cytosorb, resulting in improved EVLP physiology and biochemistry during the 6-hour ex-vivo perfusion period. After the subsequent transplant, dynamic lung compliance was markedly better during the 4-hour reperfusion period in the treatment group, as was isolated allograft oxygenation function and dynamic compliance at the end of reperfusion which was accompanied by a markedly decreased local inflammatory response. The authors conclude that the implementation of CytoSorb has refined the standard EVLP protocol. Furthermore, cytokine removal during EVLP improved immediate post-transplant graft function together with a less intense inflammatory response as a consequence of reperfusion in this pig model.

Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32201002/