ABSTRACT
I. Introduction The increased success of lung transplantation over the past 25 years owes much to the advances made in donor lung preservation. Donor organ ischemia and reperfusion are obligatory steps in all solid organ transplantation, but preservation-related injury during this time remains a major contributor to primary graft dysfunction. Since the first successful clinical lung transplant in 1983, the paradigm of lung preservation has evolved from hypothermic atelectatic immersion to hypothermic static flush preservation, all the way to normothermic ex vivo lung perfusion. The optimal method of lung preservation, however, remains unclear today, and 20% of lung transplant recipients still suffer from significant ischemia-reperfusion-induced injury (IRI). We will review the current standard of care for lung preservation and discuss lung preservation techniques of the future.
