Evaluation and preservation solution

Abstract

An evaluation and preservation solution for human and animal organs, tissues and parts thereof is described, wherein it comprises serum albumin at a concentration of 55-105 g/L, a scavenger and coating compound, preferably dextran compounds and derivatives thereof having essentially the same structure at a concentration of 1-55 g/L weight, and a physiological serum concentration of salts and nutrients in a physiologically acceptable medium.

1 . A method of preserving and evaluating a lung from a donor, the method comprising the steps of:
 (i) harvesting the lung from the donor;   (ii) placing the lung in a heart-lung machine;   (iii) filling the lung with an evaluation and preservation solution; and   (iv) evaluating at least one evaluation parameter of the lung;   wherein the at least one evaluation parameter comprises measurement of at least one of endothelial function, ventilation/perfusion disorders, gas output, or surfactant function.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one evaluation parameter comprises measurement of the endothelial function. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one evaluation parameter comprises measurement of the ventilation/perfusion disorders. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one evaluation parameter comprises measurement of the gas output. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one evaluation parameter comprises measurement of the surfactant function. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one evaluation parameter further comprises measurement of at least one of blood gasses, vascular resistance, or lung compliance. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the donor is a human non-heart beating donor. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heart-lung machine comprises a pump, an oxygen supply, an oxygenator, and a respirator. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the evaluation of step (iv) is for deciding if the lung is acceptable for transplantation. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of:
 (v) preserving the lung until transplantation.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of:
 (vi) transplanting the lung into a receiver body.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the evaluation and preservation solution comprises red blood cells and has an erythrocyte volume fraction of 15±5 vol %. 
     
     
         13 . A method of preserving and evaluating a lung from a donor, the method comprising the steps of:
 (i) harvesting the lung from the donor;   (ii) placing the lung in a heart-lung machine;   (iii) filling the lung with an evaluation and preservation solution; and   (iv) evaluating at least one evaluation parameter of the lung;   wherein the at least one evaluation parameter comprises measurement of at least one of endothelial function, ventilation/perfusion disorders, gas output, or surfactant function; and   further wherein the evaluation and preservation solution comprises serum albumin at a concentration of 55 to 105 g/L.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one evaluation parameter further comprises measurement of at least one of blood gasses, vascular resistance, or lung compliance. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the donor is a human non-heart beating donor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising a step of:
 (v) preserving the lung until transplantation.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising a step of:
 (vi) transplanting the lung into a receiver body.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the evaluation and preservation solution further comprises red blood cells and has an erythrocyte volume fraction of 15±5 vol %. 
     
     
         19 . A method of preserving and evaluating a lung from a donor, the method comprising the steps of:
 (i) harvesting the lung from the donor;   (ii) placing the lung in a heart-lung machine;   (iii) filling the lung with an evaluation and preservation solution; and   (iv) evaluating at least one evaluation parameter of the lung;   wherein the at least one evaluation parameter comprises measurement of at least one of endothelial function, ventilation/perfusion disorders, gas output, or surfactant function; and   further wherein the evaluation and preservation solution comprises a colloidosmotically active substance that is too large to pass out through semipermeable capillary walls of the donor and that is present at a concentration that provides the oncotic pressure of serum albumin at a concentration of 55-105 g/L.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one evaluation parameter further comprises measurement of at least one of blood gasses, vascular resistance, or lung compliance. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the donor is a human non-heart beating donor. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising a step of:
 (v) preserving the lung until transplantation.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising a step of:
 (vi) transplanting the lung into a receiver body.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the colloidosmotically active substance has a similar size, shape, and charge as serum albumin. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the evaluation and preservation solution further comprises red blood cells and has an erythrocyte volume fraction of 15±5 vol %.