title: Current state of ex-vivo lung perfusion.
abstract: The purpose of the current report is to review the ex-vivo peer-reviewed literature published in the last 5 years and to summarize the findings.
  
  
  
  Encouraging data have been published by several centers utilizing ex-vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) as a means to identify viable grafts from the high-risk donor pool. The outcomes of transplanted lungs that were initially declined because of poor quality, but reevaluated with ex-vivo perfusion, are equivalent to standard criteria donor lungs. Further, research reports have emphasized the role of ex-vivo perfusion as a platform to improve graft quality and reduce the injurious effects of ischemia-reperfusion.
  
  
  
  Over the last 10 years, EVLP has proved its value as a reassessment tool to increase donor utilization. As short- and long-term data demonstrate the safety of EVLP, its use as a therapeutic platform is emerging, along with the promise of a new era in lung transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Pablo G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: Kristen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Mackowick
authors.forename: Zachary N
authors.initials: ZN
authors.lastname: Kon
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D010477:Perfusion; D014019:Tissue Donors