LifeShare Makes History as First Organ Procurement Organization to Transplant Perfused Lungs
Oklahoma Organ Procurement Organization Successfully Places Lungs for Transplant following Preservation by In-House Perfusion Team
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Oklahoma City (November 9, 2023) – LifeShare of Oklahoma recently announced they achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) to place lungs for transplant following independent ex vivo perfusion. LifeShare is the not-for-profit organization in the state responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue for transplant. This milestone represents the first-time donated lungs have been clinically transplanted in the U.S. after being preserved by an OPO-based preservation team using ex vivo perfusion technology. LifeShare developed their own, first of its kind, in-house team of specially trained Perfusion Specialists that perform this complex procedure. The organization recovered lungs from a donor, which were placed on the XVIVO XPS, a normothermic perfusion machine which allows for an assessment of function and viability prior to transplantation. The lungs were perfused and ventilated until viability was determined and they were ultimately accepted for transplantation. |
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“We believe this achievement will not only transform the future of organ transplantation, but also bring hope to those in need of a lifesaving lung transplant,” said Jeffrey Orlowski, President and Chief Executive Officer of LifeShare Network. “Our team’s tireless efforts have made this possible, and we are honored to lead the way in this groundbreaking endeavor.”
"I would like to congratulate LifeShare on the first successful Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion, and we are very excited about the collaboration with them. We are eagerly looking forward to supporting LifeShare in their mission to provide patients with the life-saving transplantation they so desperately need," says Rob Valorie, Director of Sales Thoracic North America, XVIVO.
Perfusion and preservation of organs has become a heavily explored area of medical advancement in hopes of providing more organs for transplant to decrease the national transplant waiting list. Over the years, LifeShare has grown their use of perfusion technology to improve both the number and quality of organs available for transplant.
This announcement follows the organization’s success last year when they became the first OPO to place a liver for transplant after normothermic liver preservation independently performed by the OPO.
With a commitment to saving lives, LifeShare is paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in organ donation. This historic achievement is a significant step forward in LifeShare’s ongoing mission to save lives through organ and tissue donation.
About LifeShare
LifeShare is a nonprofit, federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) dedicated to the recovery of organs and tissue for transplant purposes. We work closely with three transplant centers and 145 healthcare organizations in the state of Oklahoma to facilitate donation. Additionally, we strive to raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation through public education.
"I would like to congratulate LifeShare on the first successful Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion, and we are very excited about the collaboration with them. We are eagerly looking forward to supporting LifeShare in their mission to provide patients with the life-saving transplantation they so desperately need," says Rob Valorie, Director of Sales Thoracic North America, XVIVO.
Perfusion and preservation of organs has become a heavily explored area of medical advancement in hopes of providing more organs for transplant to decrease the national transplant waiting list. Over the years, LifeShare has grown their use of perfusion technology to improve both the number and quality of organs available for transplant.
This announcement follows the organization’s success last year when they became the first OPO to place a liver for transplant after normothermic liver preservation independently performed by the OPO.
With a commitment to saving lives, LifeShare is paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in organ donation. This historic achievement is a significant step forward in LifeShare’s ongoing mission to save lives through organ and tissue donation.
About LifeShare
LifeShare is a nonprofit, federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) dedicated to the recovery of organs and tissue for transplant purposes. We work closely with three transplant centers and 145 healthcare organizations in the state of Oklahoma to facilitate donation. Additionally, we strive to raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation through public education.
