‘Liver in a box’ helps save more lives, can improve transplant outcomes

OHSU only Oregon hospital using perfusion machine in liver transplantation

By Franny White August 16, 2023 Portland, Oregon

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Alexandra C. Bolognese, M.D., left, is a transplant surgeon at OHSU who specializes in liver, kidney and pancreas transplantation, and Kristian Enestvedt, M.D., FACS, is OHSU’s liver transplant surgical director. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

Liver transplant patient

Jennifer Rosoff, 60, of Portland, loves to walk her dog through the neighborhood. Rosoff underwent a liver transplant on May 23, 2023, at OHSU. Her new liver came from a donor located multiple hours away, which would not have been an option for her without a perfusion pump. A perfusion pump flows blood through a liver as much as 24 hours before transplantation instead of the traditional approach of chilling donor organs in ice and rushing to transplant them. OHSU is the only Oregon hospital that uses perfusion pumps for liver transplantation. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

Liver transplant patient

Jennifer Rosoff, 60, of Portland, underwent a liver transplant on May 23, 2023, at OHSU. Her new liver came from a donor located multiple hours away, which would not have been an option for her without a perfusion pump. A perfusion pump flows blood through a liver as much as 24 hours before transplantation instead of the traditional approach of chilling donor organs in ice and rushing to transplant them. OHSU is the only Oregon hospital that uses perfusion pumps for liver transplantation. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

Alexandra C. Bolognese, M.D., Ph.D.

Alexandra C. Bolognese, M.D., is a transplant surgeon at OHSU who specializes in liver, kidney and pancreas transplantation. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

VIDEO: Perfusion pump for liver transplantation

Nicknamed a “liver in a box,” TransMedics’ OCSTM Liver is one of two FDA-approved perfusion pump systems for liver transplantation that flow blood through a donor liver before a transplant. Donor livers can safely be connected to perfusion pumps for up to 24 hours, providing precious time to transport organs greater distances and to better assess an organ before transplantation. OHSU is the only Oregon hospital that uses perfusion pumps for liver transplantation. (Courtesy of TransMedics)

Kristian Enestvedt, M.D., FACS

Kristian Enestvedt, M.D., FACS, is OHSU’s liver transplant surgical director. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

Perfusion pump for liver transplantation

Liver transplant patient