This innovative technique may boost number of successful lung transplants: Research
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Loading... - Mark Robinson
- 06 Sep 2022
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Donated lungs in vast quantities cannot be transplanted. Researchers at Skane University Hospital and Lund University in Sweden completed an animal study that raises the possibility of using more donor lungs in the future. To determine whether the treatment will have the same favourable impact on people, the researchers have started a pilot trial.
In Sweden, about 190 organs are donated annually. Only around 30% of the lungs can be used for transplantation due to lung damage. In addition, a significant portion of patients dies within five years after transplantation, which raises the mortality rate.
According to Sandra Lindstedt, senior consultant in thoracic surgery at Skane University Hospital and adjunct professor at Lund University, “the results from our study indicate that a certain treatment can help us use a larger part of a donor’s lung and that there is an improved outcome during the first two days after surgery.”
The researchers examined the results of lowering the cytokine concentrations in the lungs of pigs in their investigation. Small proteins known as cytokines are created by particular immune system cells.
Before the transplant, the lungs’ capacity was diminished, resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). As a result, the lungs suffered damage like those of human donor lungs. Ten of the instances involved treating the donor lung, either before and after the transplant or just after. The control group consisted of six cases and received no therapy.
The findings demonstrate that the lower levels of cytokines were responsible for the lung function returning to a higher level than previously. Additionally, Sandra Lindstedt notes, “We could tell that the lungs were working better after the transplant and those complications within the first 48 hours after transplant was reduced.
At Skane University Hospital in Lund and Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, about 50 to 60 lung transplants are carried done annually. The new treatment is expected to result in an increase in the number. Read More…
