HOPE Mitigates Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Ex-Situ Split Grafts: A Comparative Study With Living Donation in Pediatric Liver Transplantation

Abstract

Optimizing graft preservation is key for ex-situ split grafts in pediatric liver transplantation (PSLT). Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion (HOPE) improves ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and post-operative outcomes in adult LT. This study compares the use of HOPE in ex-situ partial grafts to static cold storage ex-situ partial grafts (SCS-Split) and to the gold standard living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). All consecutive HOPE-Split, SCS-Split and LDLT performed between 2018-2023 for pediatric recipients were included. Post-reperfusion syndrome (PRS, drop ≥30% in systolic arterial pressure) and reperfusion biopsies served as early indicators of IRI. We included 47 pediatric recipients (15 HOPE-Split, 17 SCS-Split, and 15 LDLT). In comparison to SCS-Split, HOPE-Split had a significantly shorter cold ischemia time (CIT) (470min vs. 538 min; <i>p</i> =0.02), lower PRS rates (13.3% vs. 47.1%; <i>p</i> = 0.04) and a lower IRI score (3 vs. 4; <i>p</i> = 0.03). The overall IRI score (3 vs. 3; <i>p</i> = 0.28) and PRS (13.3% vs. 13.3%; <i>p</i> = 1) after HOPE-Split were comparable to LDLT, despite a longer CIT (470 min vs. 117 min; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Surgical complications, one-year graft, and recipient survival did not differ among the groups. In conclusion, HOPE-Split mitigates early IRI in pediatric recipients in comparison to SCS-Split, approaching the gold standard of LDLT.