Similar results in liver transplantation from cDCD donors with normothermic regional perfusion and DBD donors: A case-matched single-center study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nAlthough good results have been reported with the use of normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) in controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD) liver transplant (LT), there is a lack of evidence to demonstrate similar results to donation after brain death (DBD).\n\n\nMETHODS\nWe present a single-center retrospective case-matched (1:2) study including 100 NRP cDCD LT and 200 DBD LT and a median follow up of 36 months. Matching was done according to donor age, recipient Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score and cold ischemia time.\n\n\nRESULTS\nPerioperative results were similar in both groups: ALT peak 909 U/L in the DBD group and 836 U/L in the cDCD group and early allograft disfunction 21% and 19.2%, respectively. The 1 and 3-year overall graft survival for cDCD was 99% and 93%, respectively, vs 92% and 87%, respectively, for DBD (p 0.04). Of note, no cases of primary non function or ischemic type biliary lesion were observed among the cDCD grafts.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nOur results confirm that NRP cDCD LT meets the same outcomes as those obtained with DBD LT and provide evidence to support the idea that cDCD donors per se should no longer be considered as marginal donors when recovered with NRP.