Increase in kidney transplants. This tech comes in very handy
The number of kidney transplants reached a record high last year. New technology is taking transplants to the next level.
Published on March 24, 2025
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The number of kidney transplants reached a record high of 1,129 last year in the Netherlands. New technology could ensure that transplants are no longer a race against the clock.
That is often the case now. As soon as an organ becomes available from a donor, it must be transported to the recipient and transplanted as quickly as possible. Currently, donor organs are usually stored in a cold liquid without an active flow of nutrients and oxygen. This means that the quality of the organ deteriorates over time.
Machine perfusion: a promising alternative
However, machine perfusion does exist. This technique involves placing an organ in a special device and continuously supplying it with a fluid containing oxygen and nutrients. This keeps the organ in good condition for longer, allowing more time to find a suitable recipient and to perform the transplant more carefully.
There are two forms of machine perfusion:
- Cold machine perfusion: In this method, the organ is stored at a low temperature while an oxygen-rich fluid is pumped through it. This slows down the deterioration of the organ and can extend the storage time.
- Warm machine perfusion: This involves keeping the organ at body temperature and supplying it with blood or another bodily fluid. This mimics natural conditions and makes it possible to test the organ's function before it is transplanted.
How advanced is the technology?
Machine perfusion is already being used successfully for liver transplants. At Erasmus MC, for example, patients have undergone liver transplants with livers that were previously considered unsuitable for transplantation. Results showed that approximately two-thirds of the livers that undergo warm perfusion are ultimately transplanted. These are organs that would have been rejected without this technique.
The perfusion method is currently also being tested on kidneys, which offers new hope for people who have been waiting for a transplant for years.
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