Mihai Oltean

Background Organ transplantation using grafts from elderly donors entails a higher risk for severe ischemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI). Advanced IRI after liver transplantation (LT) seems to be associated with the development of acute kidney injury (AKI). We studied if end‐ischemic hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE) of liver grafts, aimed at mitigating liver IRI, impacts on the frequency and severity of AKI after LT. Methods LTs performed at our center between January 2017 and December 2022 using organs from deceased brain‐dead donors aged 70 or older were reviewed. From November 2020 on, HOPE was performed routinely in this donor category. The frequency and severity of AKI (KDIGO criteria) within 48 hours of graft reperfusion and the model of early allograft function (MEAF) were compared between HOPE‐LTs ( n = 30) and control LTs ( n = 71). Results AKI developed in 23/30 (77%) HOPE‐LTs and in 40/71 (56%) control LTs ( p = n.s.), with no difference in severity and timing between groups. Renal replacement therapy was required in 3/30 (10%) HOPE‐LTs and 6/71 (8%) control LTs. In addition, transaminase leak during the first week (marker of IRI) and MEAF were similar between groups. These findings persisted after propensity matching. Histology showed more hepatocyte vacuolization and higher Suzuki score in HOPE‐LTs. Although this analysis could have been underpowered, no trends supporting the benefit of HOPE on liver and renal injury after LT were ever identified. Conclusions In conclusion, HOPE in this group of older donors does not seem to improve either graft IRI, or the incidence of early AKI after LT.