Lungs are removed from donor using traditional recovery techniques and reduced
to 4 degrees Celsius (roughly 39.2 degrees F)
Cooler
temperature helps preserve the lungs once out of the donor's body and
before transplantation
Hour
1 - once lungs reach UMMC
Lungs are set on a rig in the transplant center OR and are connected to 2 tubes
to begin perfusing STEENTMSolution thoughout the lungs. (STEENTM Solution acts like blood but
without the cells)
The inflow tube goes in the pulmonary artery and the outflow tube goes in
the left atrium where the pulmonary veins drain
Doctors gradually increase the temperature of the STEENTM Solution and slowly start
warming the lungs
When
the STEENTM Solution reaches 32 degrees
C (89.6 F), oxygen is pumped into the airways of the lungs while the STEENTM Solution is continuing to be
circulated
Once temperature reaches 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 F), approximately 1 hour after
the lungs were placed in the machine, the system is considered stable
and testing begins
The following tests are used to assess abnormalities of the lungs and
initial effects of the perfusion process:
- Bronchoscopy to evaluate the inside of the lungs for abnormalities, such as edema
- X-rays to evaluate overall health of lungs
- Arterial blood gas tests to evaluate how much oxygen is circulating through the
lungs
Hour 2
Perfusion continues to allow lungs to recover and repair themselves
Hour 3
Doctors repeat all earlier tests
At this point, a decision is made to determine whether or not the lungs are up
to UMMC's high standards for a successful transplantation
Hour 4
Sometimes doctors will decide to perfuse lungs for an extra hour, giving the lungs
more time to repair themselves
Hour 5
Transplant begins or lungs are declined due to unmet quality standards
Meet the Surgeon
Click here to learn more about Dr. Bartley Griffith, Director of Heart and Lung Transplantation at UMMC.
Video
EVLP Novel Lung Transplant:
This page was last updated on: September 8, 2011.
To talk to someone about our services or to schedule an appointment/consultation,
please call 1-800-492-5538 (patients) or 1-800-373-4111 (physicians).
Meet the Surgeon
Click here to learn more about Dr. Bartley Griffith, Director of Heart and Lung Transplantation at UMMC.