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Pediatrics

Groundbreaking Study in Pediatric Liver Transplantation Revolutionizes Organs Preservation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A multicenter study in pediatric liver transplantation has made history, marking the first-ever use of any machine perfusion device in the field. Conducted across five European pediatric liver transplant centers, the study demonstrated the safety and favorable outcomes of Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion (HOPE) in grafts with prolonged ischemia and in livers from Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) donors. This pioneering work has the potential to extend the life of more organs for children, reducing waitlist times and saving lives.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study was the first multicenter study in pediatric liver transplantation, utilizing any machine perfusion device.
  • The Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion (HOPE) technique, utilizing the VitaSmart(TM) Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion System, improved graft preservation by reducing reliance on static cold storage and mitigating ischemia-reperfusion injury.
  • The study demonstrated the safety of HOPE in pediatric liver transplantation, particularly for grafts with prolonged ischemia, including those from DCD donors.
  • The results point to the ability to extend the life of more organs for children, reducing waitlist times and saving lives.
  • The study was conducted across five European pediatric liver transplant centers.
  • Dr. María Velayos, a Pediatric Surgeon at La Paz Hospital in Madrid, Spain, presented the abstract at the 13th Congress of the International Pediatric Transplant Association (IPTA) in Berlin, Germany.
  • The abstract was recognized as one of the "Best Liver Abstracts" at the IPTA congress.

Statistics:

  • The study was conducted across five European pediatric liver transplant centers.
  • The abstract was recognized as one of the "Best Liver Abstracts" at the IPTA congress.
  • 13th Congress of the International Pediatric Transplant Association (IPTA) in Berlin, Germany, September 18--21, 2025.

Sources:

  • "Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion (HOPE) in pediatric liver transplantation: A multicenter study" abstract, presented by Dr. María Velayos at the 13th Congress of the International Pediatric Transplant Association (IPTA) in Berlin, Germany, September 18--21, 2025.
  • Bridge to Life(TM) Ltd press release, CHICAGO, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/.

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