The limiting factor for lung transplantation is the availability of donor organs, resulting in deaths on the waiting list. Th e
usage of donation aft er cardiac death (DCD) lungs would dramatically increase donor availability. Our study investigated, in
a simulated clinical situation in a DCD setting, whether alteplase administration aft er death aff ects donor lung function. Twelve
Swedish domestic pigs underwent ventricular fi brillation and were then left untouched for 1 hour aft er declaration of death.
Th ey did not receive heparin. Th e animals were randomized into two groups DCD and DCD-A. Th e lungs were then harvested
and fl ush-perfused with Perfadex® solution. In the DCD-A group alteplas was added to the Perfadex® solution. Th ereaft er the
organs were stored at 8°C for 4 hours. Lung function was evaluated, using ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP), with blood gases at
diff erent oxygen levels, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), lung weight, and macroscopic appearance. All lungs meet the
criteria for lung transplantation. No diff erence in blood gases, PVR, lung weight, or macroscopic appearance could be detected.
It seems as if DCD lungs exposed to 1 hour of warm ischemia before 4 hours of cold storage has satisfying oxygenation capacity,
low PVR, normal weight and no signs of thrombosis. According to our study it seems as lungs exposed to 1 hour warm ischemia
without heparin and with or without alteplas might be good candidates for transplantation.