Partnering to save more lungs

Introduction

Organ non-use is a critical issue facing the organ donation and transplant system today. Often transplant centers are tasked with evaluating and making an acceptance decision on a donor organ without being able to set eyes on it, potentially leading to transplantable organs being rejected because they are imperfect “on paper.” This case study highlights how a partnership with ProCure led to the successful transplantation of lungs that otherwise would have been declined.

Challenge

An OPO was struggling to place donated lungs that appeared viable but were repeatedly declined based on limited information in DonorNet. Determined to honor the donor’s gift, the OPO sought a way to get a second look. While transplant centers often hesitate to evaluate extended criteria organs—due to time and cost constraints—nothing compares to an expert’s in-person assessment in the OR.

Solution

The OPO reached out to ProCure to initiate a Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP) case. The donor’s liver had been provisionally accepted, but placing the lungs was proving to be a challenge. The OPO knew of ProCure’s holistic approach to NRP, as well as its extensive experience of ensuring safety of lung recovery in the context of NRP. So the OPO team also requested ProCure send a team that could re-evaluate the lungs once in the OR on NRP.

Outcome

Once on NRP, the ProCure team assessed the lungs and confirmed they were transplantable. As the OPO continued its allocation process, the ProCure surgeon spoke directly with potential recipients’ teams—offering firsthand insight, real-time evaluation, and confidence in the organ’s viability. Thanks to this collaborative effort, the lungs were accepted and successfully transplanted, along with the liver and both kidneys. ProCure’s in-person assessment and expertise made it possible to transplant an organ otherwise would have gone unconsidered.

Conclusion

With over 100,000 people waiting for a lifesaving transplant, we know that every donated organ must be sufficiently considered. That’s why many OPOs and transplant centers rely on ProCure to provide the expertise to assess, recover and transport the organ to its intended recipient.