OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility of sustaining the viable status of a liver graft in at least 96 h by extracorporeal perfusion using autologous blood.

METHODSEight extracorporeal porcine liver perfusions using autologous blood were performed, each for 96 h with hepatectomy, cold preservation, cannulation of vessels, and initiation of perfusion with normothermic oxygenated porcine blood. The graft viability was assessed by metabolic, synthetic, hemodynamic, and histologic parameters.

RESULTSAfter 96 h of normothermic, extracorporeal perfusion using autologous blood, the isolated livers maintained normal physiological levels of pH and electrolytes with sustained hepatic protein synthesis (complement and factor V) throughout the perfusion. Hemodynamic parameters maintained normal physiological ranges. Histological inspection demonstrated good preservation of the liver with a good architectural integrity.

CONCLUSIONIt is possible to sustain the viable status of a liver graft within 96 h by extracorporeal perfusion using autologous blood.