FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Analysis at ACS 2024 Highlights Benefits of Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion in Liver Transplantation
San Francisco, California – October 21, 2024 – A compelling analysis involving 100 liver transplant cases from a Portuguese Transplant Center has revealed that Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion (HOPE) may significantly reduce complications and enhance the utilization of extended criteria donor organs. This research is being showcased this week at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2024 (ACS 2024), taking place from October 19-22, 2024.
Maria João Amaral, from the General Surgery Department at Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra, Portugal, and the principal investigator of the study, remarked, “Our analysis indicates that HOPE increases the utilization of marginal grafts and ensures good graft function in the immediate postoperative period. Notably, we also observed a reduction in the rate of non-anastomotic strictures (NAS) at our center.”
The analysis utilized data from liver transplants performed between August 2020 and July 2023, focusing on 100 cases where HOPE was employed. Researchers analyzed information pertaining to the donor, graft, and recipient, as well as intra- and postoperative details. The occurrence of NAS was assessed after excluding patients with arterial complications and biliary cast syndrome, revealing an incidence of 6.98% (N=86) and 7.69% for cases with follow-up exceeding six months (N=65), compared to a previously estimated 16.9% at the Coimbra Transplant Center.
HOPE operates by cooling the organs to a temperature range of 4 to 12°C, significantly reducing their metabolic rate to approximately 10% of normal. This system facilitates oxygenated perfusion to the dormant organ, revitalizing mitochondria and preparing the cells prior to transplantation. This approach potentially diminishes the risk of reperfusion injury, a key factor in post-transplant complications.
Don Webber, CEO and President of Bridge to Life Ltd., a leader in transplant solutions and innovative technologies, stated, “This Portuguese analysis of 100 liver cases perfused with HOPE underscores the potential of this technology to expand the availability of donor livers, thereby improving access for patients in need and shortening wait times for transplantation.” He also noted, “We are in the final stages of evaluating the one-year follow-up results of our HOPE Trial in the U.S. and are eager to introduce this groundbreaking technology to U.S. transplant centers and organ procurement organizations, ultimately benefiting patients requiring viable livers.”
Bridge to Life Ltd. successfully completed its pivotal U.S. multicenter randomized clinical trial in 2024 and anticipates submitting for FDA approval in early 2025. The trial met the criteria for early closure due to statistical significance for both non-inferiority and superiority concerning early allograft dysfunction following HOPE with VitaSmart compared to traditional cold storage methods.
About Bridge to Life Ltd
Bridge to Life Ltd is a market leader in organ preservation solutions, offering premier products such as Belzer UW®, EasiSlush® and the VitaSmart1 Machine Perfusion System. With a strong focus on product quality, innovation and accessibility, the company serves and partners with leading Transplant Centers and Organ Procurement Offices (OPO) globally.
Contact:
Jennifer Guzman
Global Marketing Director
760-291-7245
J.guzman@B2LL.com
