Here we present a protocol describing oxygenated ex situ machine perfusion of donor liver grafts. This article contains a step by step protocol to procure and prepare the liver graft for machine perfusion, prepare the perfusion fluid, prime the perfusion machine and perform oxygenated normothermic machine perfusion of the liver graft.
In contrast to conventional static cold preservation (0-4 °C), ex situ machine perfusion may provide better preservation of donor livers. Continuous perfusion of organs provides the opportunity to improve organ quality and allows ex situ viability assessment of donor livers prior to transplantation. This video article provides a step by step protocol for ex situ normothermic machine perfusion (37 °C) of human donor livers using a device that provides a pressure and temperature controlled pulsatile perfusion of the hepatic artery and continuous perfusion of the portal vein. The perfusion fluid is oxygenated by two hollow fiber membrane oxygenators and the temperature can be regulated between 10 °C and 37 °C. During perfusion, the metabolic activity of the liver as well as the degree of injury can be assessed by biochemical analysis of samples taken from the perfusion fluid. Machine perfusion is a very promising tool to increase the number of livers that are suitable for transplantation.
The current method of organ preservation in liver transplantation is flush out with and subsequent storage of donor livers in cold (0-4 °C) preservation fluid (such as University of Wisconsin solution or Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate solution). This method is referred to as static cold storage (SCS). Although the metabolic rate of livers at 0-4 °C is very low, there is still demand for 0.27 µmol oxygen/min/g liver tissue, which cannot be provided during SCS1. The conventional method of SCS, therefore, results in some degree of (additional) injury of donor livers. While this amount of preservation injury is not a problem in donor livers of good quality, it can become a critical and limiting factor in suboptimal livers that have already suffered some degree of injury in the donor. For this reason, livers with suboptimal quality or so-called extended criteria donor (ECD) livers are frequently rejected for transplantation as the risk of early graft failure is considered to be too high. High rates of delayed graft function, primary non-function, and non-anastomotic biliary strictures (NAS) have been described in recipients of livers from donation after circulatory death (DCD), older donors or recipients of steatotic grafts2. NAS are a major cause of morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation. NAS may occur in both extra- and intrahepatic donor bile ducts and can be accompanied by intraductal biliary sludge and cast formation3,4. Although the etiology of NAS is thought to be multifactorial, ischemia/reperfusion injury of the bile ducts during graft preservation and transplantation has been identified as a major underlying mechanism2,5. Transplantation of a DCD graft has been identified as one of the strongest risk factors for the development of NAS. The combination of a period of warm ischemia in a DCD donor, cold ischemia during organ preservation, and subsequent reperfusion injury in the recipient is thought to be responsible for irreversible injury of the bile ducts, which, in combination with a poor regenerative capacity of the bile ducts, results in fibrotic scarring and narrowing of the bile ducts after liver transplantation2,5. NAS have been reported in up to 30% of patients receiving a DCD liver6-8 . It has become clear that the current method of SCS of liver grafts for transplantation is insufficient for preinjured ECD livers such as those from DCD donors. Alternative methods are needed to increase and optimize the use of ECD livers for transplantation.
Machine perfusion (MP) is a method of organ preservation that may provide better preservation of donor organs, compared to SCS. MP could be especially relevant for the preservation of ECD grafts. An important advantage of MP is the possibility to provide oxygen to the graft during the preservation period. MP can be performed at various temperatures, which have been classified as hypothermic (0-10 °C), subnormothermic (10-36 °C) and normothermic (36-37 °C) MP (NMP). Depending on the temperature used for MP, the type of perfusion fluid has to be adjusted and with increasing temperature more oxygen should be supplied. The first clinical application of MP in human liver transplantation was based on hypothermic perfusion without active oxygenation of the perfusion fluid9,10. In animal models, hypothermic oxygenated MP (0-10 °C) has been shown to have protective effects against ischemia/reperfusion injury of liver grafts11 and to provide better preservation of the peribiliary vascular plexus of the bile ducts12. Subnormothermic oxygenated MP at 20 °C or 30 °C has also been studied in animal models and was shown to provide earlier recovery of graft function of DCD livers, compared to SCS13,14. The feasibility of subnormothermic oxygenated MP of human livers was recently reported in a series of seven discarded human donor livers15. NMP (37 °C) allows for the assessment of graft viability and functionality prior to transplantation16,17. Additionally, MP allows for gradual rewarming of the liver graft before transplantation, which has been demonstrated to facilitate recovery and resuscitation of the graft18.
The perfusion device used in the current protocol for hepatic machine perfusion enables dual perfusion (via the portal vein and the hepatic artery) using two centrifugal pumps, that provide a continuous portal flow and a pulsatile arterial flow. The system is pressure-controlled, allowing auto-regulation of the flow through the liver, depending on the intrahepatic resistance. Two hollow fiber membrane oxygenators allow for the oxygenation of the liver graft, as well as for the removal of CO2. The temperature can be set based on the intended type of MP (minimum temperature of 10 °C). Flow, pressure and temperature are displayed on the device in real-time allowing a continuous control of the perfusion process. A new sterile disposable set of tubing, reservoir and oxygenators is available for the perfusion of each graft (Figure 1).
The aim of this video article is to provide a step by step protocol for ex situ normothermic machine perfusion of human donor livers using this newly developed liver perfusion machine.
Figure 1: (A) A schematic drawing, (B) a photo of the perfusion machine, (C) a closer view of the oxygenator, and (D) centrifugal pump used for normothermic perfusion of human donor livers. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
This protocol has been approved by the Medical Ethical Committee (Medisch Ethische Toetsingscommissie) of the University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.
1. Preparation of the Perfusion Fluid
Note: The total volume of the perfusion fluid prepared for normothermic machine perfusion according to this protocol is 2,233 ml and the targeted osmolarity of the perfusion fluid is 302 mOsmol/L.
Components | Quantity |
Packed red blood cell (Hematocrit 60%) | 840 ml |
Fresh frozen plasma | 930 ml |
Human albumin 200 g/L (Albuman, Sanquin) | 100 ml |
Modified parenteral nutrition (Clinimix N17G35E, Baxter International Inc.) | 7.35 ml |
Multivitamins for infusion (Cernevit, Baxter international Inc.) | 7 μl |
Concentrated trace elements for infusion (Nutritrace , B. Braun Melsungen AG) | 7.35 ml |
Metronidazol for i.v. administration (5 mg/ml) (Flagyl, Sanofi-Aventis) | 40 ml |
Cefazolin 1,000 mg flask 5 ml powder for i.v. administration (Servazolin, Sandoz) | 2 ml |
Fast-acting insulin (100 IU/ml) (Actrapid®, Novo Nordisk) | 20 ml |
Calcium glubionate, intravenous solution 10%, 137.5 mg/ml (Sandoz) | 40 ml |
Sterile H2O | 51.3 ml |
NaCl 0.9% solution | 160 ml |
Sodium bicarbonate 8.4% solution | 31 ml |
Heparin 5,000 IE/ml for i.v. administration | 4 ml |
Total | 2,233 ml |
Table 1: Components of the perfusion fluid16.
2. Priming of the Perfusion Device
3. Procurement and Preparation of Donor Livers
Note: Procure the organ using the standard technique of in situ cooling and flush out with cold preservation fluid (0-4 °C)19. To facilitate cannulation of the artery, leave a segment of the supratruncal aorta attached to the hepatic artery (Figure 2A).
Donor characteristics (N = 12) | Number (%) or Median (IQR) |
Age (years) | 61 (50-64) |
Gender (male) | 8 (67%) |
Type of donor DCD, Maastricht type III DBD |
10 (83%) 2 (17%) |
Body mass index (BMI) | 27 (25-35) |
Reason for rejection DCD+ age >60 years DCD+ high BMI DCD+ various reasons* Severe steatosis |
5 (41%) 3 (25%) 2 (17%) 2 (17%) |
Preservation solution UW solution HTK solution |
6 (50%) 6 (50%) |
Donor warm ischemia time in DCD (min) | 14 (17 – 20) |
Cold ischemia time (min) | 389 (458-585) |
Donor risk index (DRI) | 2.35 (2.01-2.54) |
Table 2: Donor characteristics. * donor history of intravenous drug abuse for one graft and prolonged donor sO2 <30% after withdrawal of life support for another graft. Abbreviations: DCD, donation after circulatory death; DBD, donation after brain death; UW, University of Wisconsin; HTK, Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate
Figure 2: (A) Pictures of a human donor graft that has been prepared on the back table and (B–D) was subsequently perfused normothermically. (A) The arterial cannula is inserted into the surpratruncal aorta and the venous cannula is inserted into the portal vein. The bile duct is cannulated with a silicon biliary catheter. (B) The liver is positioned in the organ chamber with its anterior surface facing downwards and cannulas are connected to the tubings of the perfusion device. (C) 30 min after the start of normothermic machine perfusion. (D) 6 hr after the start of normothermic machine perfusion. During operation the organ chamber is covered by a transparent cover to maintain a sterile moist environment for the liver (not shown in these pictures). Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
4. Normothermic Machine Perfusion
12 human livers that were declined for transplantation due to various reasons were used after obtaining informed consent for research from donor families. Donor characteristics are described in Table 2. The human donor livers were perfused normothermically for 6 hr by using the protocol described in this paper. The quality of the liver grafts were evaluated by monitoring the macroscopic homogeneity of liver perfusion (Figure 2A–D). The hemodynamics of the livers were assessed by monitoring the changes in the arterial and portal flows. An initial increase in hepatic artery and portal vein flows and subsequent stabilization of the flows were observed, resulting in a mean arterial flow of 256 ± 16 ml/min (mean ± SEM) and a mean portal vein flow of 748 ± 34 ml/min (mean ± SEM) at 6 hr, indicating stable hemodynamics of livers during perfusion (Figure 3A). Blood gas analysis of the perfusate samples collected from arterial perfusion fluid was used to monitor the status of oxygenation in the perfusion fluid. Oxygenation with carbogen (95% O2 and 5% CO2) at a flow of 4 L/min resulted in a continuous O2 saturation of 100%. Figure 3B displays the oxygenation of the perfusion fluid and subsequent extraction of carbon dioxide in our experience.
Figure 3: Graphical presentation of perfusion parameters and biochemical analyses of both the perfusion fluid and bile during 6 hr of normothermic machine perfusion of 12 human livers. (A) Changes in arterial and portal flow. (B) Evolution of oxygenation characteristics and pCO2 during 6 hr of normothermic perfusion. (C) Cumulative bile production during perfusion. (D) Increasing concentrations of bilirubin and bicarbonate in bile samples taken during machine perfusion. (E) Microcentrifuge tubes containing bile from a representative graft, demonstrating a gradual darkening shade of the bile color over time. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Bile production was used as an indicator of liver function. Metabolically functioning livers produced bile during NMP, resulting in a mean total bile production of 24.6 ± 6 g after 6 hr of NMP (Figure 3C). An increase in the concentration of total bilirubin and bicarbonate in the bile represented an improvement in the quality of the bile produced during NMP (Figure 3D, E). Liver tissue ATP content as an indicator of mitochondrial function increased during NMP, resulting in mean ATP of 30 ± 5 µmol/g protein (mean ± SEM) after 6 hr of NMP (Figure 4). Biochemical analysis of hepatic injury markers in the perfusion fluid, such as ALT, AlkP, gamma-GT and potassium, was used to assess the amount of graft injury. Stable concentrations of hepatic injury markers reflected minimal injury of the grafts during perfusion (Figure 5A). Lactate and glucose levels in the perfusion fluid as well as oxygen consumption have been described previously17. Furthermore, histological examination of H&E stained biopsies collected from liver tissue and the distal end of the extrahepatic bile duct, as illustrated in Figure 5B, C did not reveal any additional injury to the grafts during normothermic machine perfusion.
Figure 4: Changes in the level of liver tissue ATP content during NMP. Increased liver tissue ATP content during NMP showed improvement of mitochondrial function. Data are represented as mean ± SEM. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 5: (A) Markers of hepatobiliary injury and (B) staining of liver parenchyma and (C) the extrahepatic bile duct taken from a representative graft before (0 hr) and after (6 hr) machine perfusion. (A) Stable concentrations of injury markers in the perfusion fluid indicated minimal injury of grafts during machine perfusion. (B) Well-preserved microscopic architecture of a representative liver graft. (C) Histology of the extrahepatic bile duct (lumen marked by an asterisk) of a representative graft. Moderate biliary epithelial injury indicated by partial loss of the luminal epithelial layer was observed at baseline and this did not worsen during 6 hr of MP. A similar degree of biliary injury has been described in a series of human livers before transplantation20. Peribiliary vasculature (arrow) and peribiliary glands (area within dashed lines) displayed no worsening of injury after normothermic machine perfusion. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Microbiological testing of the perfusion fluid did not reveal any bacterial contamination during NMP. In one case a positive culture for S. epidermidis was obtained from the sample collected immediately after cold preservation. However, culture of the perfusion fluid after 6 hr of NMP was negative for any bacteria, showing the efficacy of the antibiotics used in the perfusion fluid.
This video provides a step by step protocol for normothermic machine perfusion of human donor livers using a device that enables pressure controlled dual perfusion through the hepatic artery and portal vein. While following this protocol, technical failures of the perfusion machine did not occur and all grafts were well perfused and well oxygenated. The ex situ perfused livers had stable hemodynamics and were metabolically active, as defined by the production of bile16,17.
This is a well-established protocol for machine perfusion of human donor livers. This technique has several potential advantages over the conventional method of SCS21. Machine perfusion provides the opportunity to preserve donor liver grafts at different temperatures depending on the intended endpoint of organ preservation. Hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion provides better perfusion and wash-out of the microvasculture and may help to restore intracellular energy contents by stimulating adenosine triphosphate (ATP) regeneration. However, full assessment of graft viability requires perfusion at a more physiological temperature (subnormothermic or normothermic). With increasing perfusion temperatures, the liver will become metabolically more active and start to produce bile. A recent study has suggested that bile production as an indicator of liver function might be an asset during ex situ NMP to evaluate graft viability prior to transplantation. This study showed that bile production correlated with the liver tissue ATP level and histological and biochemical markers of liver injury17. These findings remain to be confirmed by clinical trials. Although bile production is a suitable potential marker of liver parenchyma viability, markers of bile duct viability that can be assessed during ex situ NMP are still lacking. Therefore, it is currently still not possible to predict whether a liver assessed during NMP will develop NAS after transplantation or not. However, using this protocol, ex situ NMP did not reveal any worsening of bile duct injury during 6 hours of NMP. Moreover, this technique has the potential to allow for preconditioning of the graft before transplantation, resulting in reduced post-transplant injuries or recurrence of underlying diseases22.
The optimal fluid for ex situ oxygenated machine perfusion of donor livers is dependent on the temperature used. The solubility of oxygen in water is temperature-dependent and the amount of oxygen that can be dissolved in a watery fluid decreases with increasing temperature23. When using low temperatures for MP, the amount of oxygen dissolved in the perfusion fluid can be sufficient. However, at 37 °C an oxygen carrier should be added to the perfusion fluid to provide enough oxygen to the graft. For hypothermic MP, a preservation solution such as Belzer Machine Perfusion Solution can be sufficient11 . For subnormothermic or normothermic MP, more complex perfusion fluids that also contain nutrients and an oxygen carrier have been used in different studies15,16 . In our studies on normothermic MP, we have used ABO- and Rhesus matched packed red blood cells from the local blood bank as an oxygen carrier16. It remains to be established whether similar results can be obtained with artificial hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers such as Hemopure or Hemarina.
The most critical technical aspects for successful perfusion of human livers are: to correctly secure the cannulas in the portal vein and supratruncal aorta segment, to ligate all small side braches to avoid any leakage of perfusion fluid which could disturb the pressure and flow regulations of the machine, to maintain a physiological environment for the liver especially by adjusting the pH and electrolyte concentrations of the perfusion fluid, and to maintain sterility of the perfusion environment.
Due to technical constraints, the perfusion device used in the described protocol cannot lower the temperature of the perfusion fluid below 10 °C. Although this can be considered a limitation, it does not provide a real problem concerning ischemia. The reason is that more than sufficient amounts of oxygen can be supplied to the perfusion fluid by the two membrane oxygenators regardless of the temperature. An advantage is that the temperature can be easily adjusted during the perfusion period, which allows gradual rewarming of the donor liver. A recent study in porcine livers has shown important advantages of gradual rewarming prior to normothermic reperfusion using the same device as described here18.
The ability to perfuse donor livers at different temperatures and the opportunity of adding extra agents to the perfusion fluid during organ perfusion offer the potential to assess and improve organ quality prior to transplantation. Therefore, this method can considerably increase the number of available organs for transplantation.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
This research work was financially supported by grants provided by Innovatief Actieprogramma Groningen (IAG-3), Jan Kornelis de Cock Stichting and Tekke Huizingafonds, all in the Netherlands. We are appreciative to all the Dutch transplantation coordinators for identifying the potential discarded livers and obtaining informed consent.
Liver Assist | Organ Assist | OA.Li.Li.140 | Perfusion device |
Liver Assist disposable package | Organ Assist | OA.Li.DP.540 | Disposable set and cannulas |
Meredith No.8 | Vygon Nederlands B.V. | 1362082 | Bile duct cannula |
Human albumin 200g/l / ALBUMAN | Sanquin | 15522598 | 100 ml |
Modified parenteral nutrition | Baxter Nederland B.V. | N14G30E | 7.35 ml |
Multivitamins for infusion / CERNEVIT | Baxter International Inc. | 9800927 | 7 ul |
Concentrated trace elements for infusion / NUTRITRACE | B. Braun Melsungen AG | 14811332 | 7.35 ml |
Metronidazole 5mg/ml | Baxter Nederland B.V. | 98181882 | 40 ml |
Cefazoline / SERVAZOLIN | Sandoz B.V. | 15611337 | 2 ml |
Fast acting insulin | various vendors | 20 ml | |
Calcium glubionate, intravenous solution 10%, 137.5 mg/mL | Sandoz | 97038695 | 40 ml |
Sterile H2O | Fresenius Kabi Nederland B.V. | 98084453 | 51.3 ml |
NaCl 0.9% | Baxter Nederland B.V. | 15262510 | 160 ml |
Heparin 5000 IE/ml for i.v. administration | LEO Pharma B.V. | 98026178 | 4 ml |
Sodium bicarbonate 8,4% | B. Braun Melsungen AG | 97973874 | The amount depends on the pH |
Packed red blood cell (in SAGM) | Blood bank (Sanquin) | N0012000 | 750 ml |
Fresh frozen plasma | Blood bank (Sanquin) | N04030A0/N04030B0 | 900 ml |