News From Transplant Week of June 16, 2002 / Vol. 3 No. 24

 

Artificial Implantable Lung Shows Promise as Bridge to Lung Transplant
 

 

An artificial implantable lung that uses tiny hollow fibers and the heart's own pumping power to oxygenate blood is showing promise in pre-clinical studies, and may reach clinical trials in about a year as a bridge device for lung failure patients awaiting a transplant, according to University of Michigan researchers.

Dr. Robert Bartlett, developer of the lung, reported at the annual meeting of the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs on five-day tests of the new device on damaged sheep lungs, in which it produced better survival and less lung injury than a conventional ventilator.

The next phase of testing, supported by a $4.8 million federal grant, will evaluate the artificial lung's ability to totally support sheep lung function for 30 days or more.

The artificial lung, which can be used either inside or outside the body, attaches to the pulmonary artery. It uses no mechanical pump, relying on the heart's own pumping force to send blood from the pulmonary artery into the chamber, past the hollow fibers with tiny micropores that exchange oxygen from the air with carbon dioxide from the blood.

"The blood can then flow back to the pulmonary artery and circulate through the lungs for clot-filtering and other benefits, or directly into the heart's left atrium before being sent to the body," said Bartlett.

"This generation of long-term, bridge-to-transplant implantable artificial lung is on the verge of reaching the patients who need it most, and have no other options," said Bartlett. "We've overcome the technical hurdles and now must confirm that it can truly take over for failing lungs for a longer time, and with less risk, than current life-support technology."

Bartlett expressed the belief that the device could eventually help lung transplant candidates stay alive and mobile for six months or more, outside the hospital, and allow them to stay healthy enough to remain at the top of the transplant waiting list.

Other sources: University of Michigan