Draft guidance from Nice recommends the XVIVO perfusion system to help preserve donated lungs that are currently discarded, potentially increasing transplant rates.
Key facts
- •There are 170 patients in the UK currently waiting for new lungs, including six children.
- •Only 23% of all donated lungs in the UK are currently used for transplantation.
- •Up to 20% of adults on the urgent transplant list die within a year of joining the list.
- •The XVIVO system mimics blood plasma and breathing to keep donated lungs viable outside the body.
- •Nice recommends a four-year trial period to assess the device's impact on transplant activity and value for money.
Draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) recommends the adoption of the XVIVO perfusion system across the NHS. The technology, which keeps donated lungs alive outside the body, could potentially rescue four out of every five lungs that currently go to waste. This move aims to address low lung transplantation rates in the UK, where 170 patients are currently on waiting lists.
By the numbers
How the Perfusion System Works
The XVIVO system functions by warming donated lungs to body temperature and circulating a fluid that mimics blood plasma. Simultaneously, the machine ventilates the organs to simulate normal breathing. This process enables transplant teams to monitor lung function, treat infections, drain excess fluid, and reinflate collapsed areas, thereby keeping organs viable for longer periods.
Addressing Transplant Shortages
Currently, only 23% of all donated lungs in the UK are used for transplantation. Organs are often declined due to concerns over quality, as well as logistical factors like staffing and theatre capacity. With most adults waiting at least a year for a transplant and up to one-fifth of those on the urgent list dying before a suitable organ is found, the new guidance seeks to ensure all transplant centres can utilize the technology regardless of their size or location.
Implementation and Evaluation
Nice has recommended the use of the system for a four-year period to evaluate its effectiveness and value for money. While the machine has previously been trialled at three adult transplant centres, the new guidance extends potential use to all centres, including those handling paediatric cases. Experts from organizations such as Asthma + Lung UK and the British Transplantation Society have noted the potential for this technology to improve access and reduce organ waste.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Guardian Health.
