Normothermic Regional Perfusion for Donation After Circulatory Death Without Prior Heparinization

Background Over 40% of deceased donors in the UK donate after circulatory death (DCD). Normothermic regional perfusion has been reported to improve outcomes in such donors in Europe and the United States. Unlike the United States, legal and professional requirements in the UK prevent cannulation and heparinization before verification of death, which must be a minimum of 5 min after circulatory arrest. We developed a novel protocol for in situ normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) which complied with these requirements. Methods NRP was achieved by cannulating the aorta and vena cava after death. Donor blood was then warmed and oxygenated using a bespoke extracorporeal membrane oxygenator circuit before return to the donor. A shunt was incorporated into the extracorporeal circuit to permit heparin mixing before oxygenation and warming was commenced to prevent thrombosis of the oxygenator. Normothermic perfusion was continued for 2 hr before in situ cold perfusion with preservation fluid. All organs were subject to static cold storage after recovery. Results Eight controlled DCD donors underwent NRP from which 3 livers, 2 pancreases, and 14 kidneys were transplanted. Four livers were not used because of biochemical evidence of hepatocellular damage and one because of cirrhosis. Two kidneys were lost from venous thrombosis before function returned and two developed delayed graft function; all transplanted livers and pancreases had primary function. Conclusions Cannulation and heparinization after circulatory arrest does not prevent successful normothermic regional perfusion. The technique permits evaluation of donor organs before implantation and may improve short-term outcomes.