Ex-situ machine perfusion for extracorporeal preservation of lungs (ex-vivo lung perfusion) for transplant

NICE did a rapid review of the published literature on the efficacy and safety of this procedure. This comprised a comprehensive literature search and detailed review of the evidence from 7 sources, which was discussed by the committee. The evidence included 3 meta-analyses, 3 retrospective cohort studies and 1 prospective case series. It is presented in the summary of key evidence section in the interventional procedures overview. Other relevant literature is in the appendix of the overview.

The professional experts and the committee considered the key efficacy outcomes to be: lung function after transplant, patient survival after transplant and quality of life.

The professional experts and the committee considered the key safety outcomes to be: primary graft dysfunction and prolonged lung recovery (for example, needing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation [ECMO]).

Patient commentary was sought but none was received.

The intention of the procedure is to allow better assessment of marginal lungs allowing them to be used more frequently, so increasing the number of lungs available for transplant.