A machine that keeps organs alive outside the body could save four in every five donated lungs that currently go to waste in England and Wales, according to new draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice). This breakthrough offers hope for hundreds of patients on transplant waiting lists, especially children.
Why Most Donated Lungs Are Currently Discarded
The UK has one of the poorest lung transplantation rates in the world. NHS Blood and Transplant data shows that only 23% of all donated lungs are used. The remainder are declined due to organ quality concerns, staffing shortages, or theatre capacity issues. As a result, 170 patients, including six children, are waiting for new lungs, and up to a fifth of adults on the urgent transplant list die within a year.
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How the XVIVO Perfusion System Rescues Lungs
The XVIVO perfusion system warms donated lungs to body temperature and pumps a fluid through them that mimics blood plasma while ventilating them to simulate normal breathing. This allows transplant teams to monitor lung function, treat infections, drain excess fluid, and reinflate collapsed areas. The technology essentially gives lungs a second chance by keeping them viable for longer outside the body.
| Metric | Current (without machine) | Projected (with machine) |
|---|---|---|
| Donated lungs used | 23% | Up to 80% |
| Annual transplants | ~200 | ~700+ |
| Waiting time for adults | 1–2 years | Reduced |
Key Takeaways
- Four in five currently unused donated lungs could become suitable for transplant.
- The machine has been trialled at three adult transplant centres and is now being considered for nationwide use.
- Nice recommends a four-year assessment period to evaluate cost-effectiveness.
- Children waiting for lungs could also benefit from the technology.
Impact on Transplant Waiting Lists
Dr Anastasia Chalkidou, Nice's healthtech programme director, stated that the technology should allow more lungs to remain available for transplantation that would otherwise be discarded. Every donated lung is a precious gift, and this machine helps ensure it is not wasted.
FAQ
What is the XVIVO perfusion system?
It is a machine that keeps donated lungs alive outside the body by warming them and circulating a plasma-like fluid, while ventilating the lungs to mimic normal breathing.
How many donated lungs could be saved?
Nice estimates that the machine could rescue four in five donated lungs that are currently unused, potentially unlocking hundreds of organs for transplant each year.
Is this technology already in use?
It has been trialled at three adult transplant centres in the UK, but Nice's draft guidance aims to expand its use to all transplant centres and include paediatric cases.
With draft guidance now recommending the XVIVO system for NHS use, the future of lung transplantation looks brighter. Patients, especially children on waiting lists, could see dramatically shorter wait times and improved survival rates.
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