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Sep 2019
Organ survival triples with new method of supercooling
Recent research in the US has revealed that the supercooling of human livers to -4oc triples the length of time they can be stored before a transplant when compared with putting them on ice, by slowing the metabolic rate to avoid damage.
The technology was pioneered five years ago, firstly through the use of rats, when the livers were chilled while oxygen and nutrients were pumped through the organ’s blood vessels. The method then progressed to human livers, which showed they could be kept for 27 hours rather than the usual nine hours when organs are stored on ice.
The research team at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital said the results were “quite phenomenal”.
Dr Reinier de Vries, part of the research team, said “This is a big breakthrough in organ preservation. This is the first time that we actually show that it is feasible to preserve human organs at sub-zero temperatures.”
According charity The British Liver Trust, hundreds of patients die each year whilst waiting for a transplant.
The charity’s head Pamela Healy, said “Finding new ways to increase the number of organs available at any one time is vital to reduce waiting times and increase the chance of a successful transplantation taking place.
“This research project into increasing the number of livers available for transplant is welcomed. We await further research into this potentially exciting development.”
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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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