16 Oct '13

Longest-ever preservation period for lung transplant

Summary

A team in Leuven has succeeded in preserving a pair of donor lungs for more than 11 hours before transplantation

 

Team at Leuven University Hospital preserves donor lungs for a record 11+ hours

The multidisciplinary transplant team of Leuven’s University Hospital has succeeded in preserving a pair of donor lungs for more than 11 hours before transplantation. That is the longest period known worldwide.

The extended preservation time was necessary because the patient with chronic lung failure suddenly developed acute liver problems and went into coma. The surgeons first needed to perform a liver transplant, as a lung transplant requires a proper functioning of the liver.

Normally, a donor lung can be preserved for 10 hours outside the body, but the specialists used a new preservation technique. The lungs were not, as usual, put on ice but placed in the machine OCS LUNG, which ensured continual flushing and oxygen at room temperature. The patient is in good health and has been discharged from the hospital.

University of Leuven

Established almost six centuries ago, the University of Leuven (KU Leuven) is one of the oldest universities in the Low Countries. International rankings consistently place it among the best universities in Europe.
Papal founding - It was founded as a Catholic university by Pope Martin V in 1425.
Bright minds - Over the centuries, it attracted famous scholars like Justus Lipsius, Andreas Vesalius, Desiderius Erasmus and Gerard Mercator.
Micro and nano - KU Leuven is home to the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (imec), a world-class research centre in micro- and nanoelectronics.
11 544

staff members in 2013

40 069

students in 2014-2015 academic year

365

million euros in annual research budget

  • KU Leuven
  • KU Leuven Association
  • Study in Flanders

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