10°C vs 4°C Lung Preservation RCT

When someone needs a new lung, the donor lung needs to be kept in the best possible condition before transplant surgery. Currently, this usually means keeping the lung very cold, on ice at about 4°C. While this helps preserve the lung, there are limits to how long it can be stored this way, usually only 6-8 hours. Also, sometimes keeping the lung too cold can still lead to problems after the transplant.

This new study is exploring whether a slightly warmer temperature of 10°C might be better for storing donor lungs. Previous research has hinted that 10°C could be the 'sweet spot' – warm enough to avoid some of the issues of being too cold, but still cool enough to protect the delicate lung tissue. If effective, this could mean donor lungs can be stored safely for longer periods. This extra time would be incredibly helpful, allowing more flexibility in scheduling operations, giving surgeons more time to prepare, and making it easier to match a donor lung with the right recipient.

The main aim of this study is to see if storing lungs at 10°C reduces a common and serious problem called Primary Graft Dysfunction (PGD). PGD happens in about a quarter of lung transplant patients and can cause severe lung injury soon after the transplant, leading to longer hospital stays and affecting long-term health. By comparing donor lungs stored at 10°C versus the standard 4°C, researchers hope to find a way to make lung transplants even safer and more successful for patients.