Breakthrough in Lung Transplant Technology: Portable Preservation System Enhances Outcomes for Extended Criteria Donor Lungs

Recent research conducted at Baylor College of Medicine has confirmed the safety and effectiveness of the portable Organ Care System (OCS) for lung preservation, marking a significant advancement in transplant medicine. This innovative technology, often referred to as the "breathing lung" system, allows donor lungs to be kept functional outside the body by continuously pumping blood and oxygen through the organs during transport.

Traditionally, lungs are preserved through cold storage, which limits travel time and the utilization of marginal or extended criteria donors—donors who are older, have lower oxygenation levels, or are after circulatory death, which are typically declined more frequently due to concerns about transplant success. The OCS system extends the viable transport window and improves the quality of these lungs, resulting in better long-term outcomes.

A five-year follow-up study published in The Lancet evaluated the long-term impact of this technology, focusing on lungs from extended criteria donors. The study followed participants from the international EXPAND Lung Trial, which was the first multicenter prospective registry to assess donor lungs outside standard acceptance parameters. Results demonstrated that lungs preserved with the OCS technology yielded five-year patient survival rates of 68%, with 60% of patients maintaining lung function without severe chronic rejection.

This breakthrough significantly broadens the donor pool, allowing previously underutilized lungs to be successfully transplanted. Dr. Gabriel Loor emphasized that the technology not only rescues these marginal organs but also improves the safety profile of lung transplants. The device enables lungs to undergo continuous perfusion with blood and oxygen during extended travel times, overcoming logistical barriers and reducing organ wastage.

Currently, the FDA-approved OCS Lung is one of only two such devices in the United States and the only portable platform actively in use, promising to reshape lung transplant practices nationwide. As the technology advances and becomes more cost-effective, it is anticipated that more transplant centers will adopt similar systems, leading to increased access and better outcomes for patients in need.

Baylor's leadership in this field underscores its commitment to innovative, life-saving transplantation techniques. The findings advocate for broader integration of portable lung preservation systems, which may ultimately save thousands of lives by expanding the donor pool and enhancing transplant success rates.

More detailed information about this study can be found in the article "Long-term outcomes of the international EXPAND trial of Organ Care System (OCS) Lung preservation for lung transplantation" published in eClinicalMedicine.

source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-portable-lung-criteria-donor-lungs.html