Donor Network West is using OrganOx, a liver preservation machine, to increase the number of livers available for transplantation. OrganOx advances the liver preservation process, which was previously unchanged since the advent of liver transplantation in the 1960s.
There are more than 650 people across northern Nevada and northern California who are waiting for a life-saving liver transplant. Nationally, the average waiting time for a liver transplant can vary anywhere from 30 days to more than five years––all while a patient’s health and quality of life continue to decline.
In addressing the need for increased liver transplantations, Donor Network West launched the use of the OrganOxmetra in July 2024 across its service area in northern Nevada and northern California. OrganOx metra is a cutting-edge liver preservation machine that increases the number of donor livers available for transplantation by maintaining liver function during testing and transport, and can improve outcomes for transplant recipients. Since July, Donor Network West facilitated the donation of 16 livers that have been preserved using the machine, which were transplanted to patients in need.
“Donor Network West is thrilled to use the OrganOx metra to serve our patients across our entire service area in northern Nevada and northern California to improve the liver transplantation process and ultimately reduce the wait times for people in need,” said Janice Whaley, president and CEO, Donor Network West. “This leading technology enables our clinicians and the transplant center teams to give more people a second chance at life––one with fewer health issues where they can pursue their goals and spend precious time with loved ones.”
OrganOx uses a technique called normothermic preservation, which works by maintaining liver function during the time between organ procurement and transplantation. The OrganOx metra continuously pumps oxygen-rich blood through a donor liver. Along with medications and nutrients, blood is circulated through the liver at body temperature and at a pressure similar to inside the body. This technique allows more time for clinical teams to assess whether or not to transplant a donor organ and can improve outcomes for liver transplant recipients.
Prior to the implementation of the OrganOx metra, the process of donor liver preservation used a technique called static cold preservation, which involved submerging the organ in preservation solution and keeping it surrounded by ice in a cooler. This process has remained largely unchanged since the advent of liver transplantation in the 1960s. With OrganOx, donor livers may be preserved for up to 12 hours. The static-cold preservation technique has historically been limited to an average of 6-8 hours.
While many organs may still be successfully transplanted using the traditional static cold preservation, the OrganOx metra will enable more livers to be viable for transplant from the same number of donors. The OrganOx metra is particularly useful for donor livers that may present higher risks post-transplant, such as livers from older donors or livers with higher amounts of fat content.
To effectively implement the OrganOx metra for liver donations across northern Nevada and northern California, Donor Network West’s team of organ preservationists completed extensive training within the organization as well as training at OrganOx’s state-of-the-art simulation lab and with transplant surgeons at several transplant centers.
“Led by our specially-trained organ preservationist team, Donor Network West operates and manages the OrganOx machine, making it accessible to serve all transplant patients in our service area, no matter which transplant center they’ve partnered with for their surgery,” said Luis Mayen, vice president of external affairs and strategic partnerships, Donor Network West. “Making this technology truly accessible will help save more lives.”
To learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation, and about the importance of becoming an organ donor, visit DonorNetworkWest.org.
About Donor Network West
Donor Network West saves and heals lives by facilitating organ and tissue recovery for transplantation and research. Established in 1987, Donor Network West is designated and certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), is a member of the Organ Donation Alliance and is an official Donate Life organization. Donor Network West is federally designated to serve 45 counties in northern California and northern Nevada, Donor Network West partners with the Department of Motor Vehicles and the state-authorized donor registries to help increase donor registration. For information, visit www.DonorNetworkWest.org and follow us on social media: @mydnwest.
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