A groundbreaking method approved for use by the NHS is set to save hundreds of organs for critical transplant procedures. Surgeons can now enhance liver preservation by oxygenating the organ with blood before extraction from deceased donors who have consented to the donation. This innovative approach, developed in the UK, has effectively doubled the number of viable livers obtained.
Traditionally, donated livers are preserved by immediate cold flushing and storage in ice, which can lead to damage due to the interruption of blood and oxygen supply. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has endorsed this new technique as the number of individuals awaiting transplants on the NHS list has reached a record high of over 8,000.
The procedure, named Abdominal Normothermic Regional Perfusion (ANRP), was pioneered by surgeons at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. ANRP facilitates liver recovery within the donor’s body, enabling assessments of the organ’s functionality before extraction. This method has shown a 51% decrease in transplant failure risk after 12 months for recipients.
The utilization of ANRP and a similar post-extraction technique could potentially result in an additional 150 liver transplants annually, as estimated by NHS Blood and Transplant. The new process involves oxygenating the organs before removal, aiding in their rejuvenation and extending their viability post-transplantation. This advancement is a significant step towards increasing the availability of viable organs for transplantation, offering hope to those on the transplant waiting list.
The implementation of the Organ Donation Deemed Consent Act in the UK aligns with the opt-out system, assuming adults as organ donors unless they explicitly opt not to be. However, relatives still hold the authority to decline the donation of their loved one’s organs. It remains crucial for individuals to register their organ donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register to ensure their wishes are known.
To confirm your choice to donate and for more information, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk.
