Current practice of normothermic regional perfusion and machine perfusion in donation after circulatory death liver transplants in Italy

Background: Normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) and machine perfusion (MP) are variously used in many European centers to improve the outcomes after liver transplantation from donation after circulatory death (DCD). In Italy, a combination of NRP and subsequent MP has been used since the start of the activity. While NRP is mandatory for every DCD recovery, the subsequent use of MP is left to each center. Methods: We have designed a national survey to investigate practices and policies of these techniques. The questionnaire included 46 questions and was distributed to all the 21 Italian centers using an online form between June and July 2021. Results: The overall response rate was 100%. A local NRP program for controlled Maastricht type 3 DCD was active in 11/21 (52.4%) centers. Organization and availability of personnel were perceived as the main difficulties in starting such a program. Between 2015 and 2020, 119 DCD livers were transplanted, with an overall utilization rate of 69.2%. Pump flow and gross aspect were considered the most reliable parameters in liver selection during NRP. Eight (72.7%) centers adopted subsequent hypothermic MP, 1 (9.1%) center normothermic MP, and the remaining 2 (18.2%) used both MP types. Conclusion: This first snapshot survey shows that NRP with subsequent MP is the most used protocol in Italy for DCD livers, although some heterogeneity exists in the type and purpose of MP between centers. Overall, this policy ensures a high utilization rate, considering the high risk of the DCD donor population in Italy. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]