Milestone expands access and safety in organ transplantation
LifeShare Oklahoma reached a major milestone in its organ perfusion program, completing its first successful flight transporting a liver for transplant being actively perfused using the OrganOx metra device. LifeShare Oklahoma is the statewide nonprofit organization responsible for organ and tissue donation, which previously made history as the first in the nation to facilitate the first successful liver transplant after perfusion.
The Organ Ox metra is a device that maintains organs in a functioning state outside the body, allowing transplant centers to monitor and assess them prior to transplant, improving outcomes and utilization.1,2,3,4
Historically, perfused livers were limited in travel distance and required teams to drive directly to transplant centers. Recent changes implemented by the Food and Drug Administration allowed the metra device to be transported safely by an aircraft specially outfitted for these devices. Air transport expands reach, making organs available to more transplant programs while improving efficiency and reducing the physical demands on staff during long drives.
The aircraft carrier, Trinity Medical, a logistics division of Strata Critical, outfits aircrafts to safely transport the OrganOx metra device and coordinates flights specifically for organ perfusion technology.
During this milestone flight, LifeShare team members accompanied the liver to ensure continuous monitoring throughout transport. The flight was made possible through extensive preparation and coordination of LifeShare’s perfusion team, alongside partners at Trinity Medical.
“This milestone marks an important step in our ability to safely expand the geographic reach of donor organs which otherwise may not be able to be transplanted,” said Jeffrey Orlowski, President and CEO of LifeShare. “This capability allows us to save more lives by making organs available for transplant to a broader range of recipients while ensuring their safety to maximize the gift of life.”
While only a few team members were physically on the aircraft, this achievement reflects the work of staff across the entire organization.
Most importantly, LifeShare honors the donor hero and their loved ones. The generous decision to give the gift of donation made this lifesaving innovation possible and shows why continued advancement and teamwork in organ donation are so important.
1. Mergental H, et al. Nat Commun. 2020, 11(1):2939.
2. Olumba FC, et al. J Am Coll Surg. 2023, 236(4):614-625.
3. Nasralla D, et al. Nature. 2018, 557(7703):50-56.
4. Hann A, et al. Br J Surg. 2022;109(4):372–380.
