| abstract |
An exsanguinous metabolic support system for maintaining an organ or tissue at a near normal metabolic rate is disclosed. The system employs a warm perfusion solution capable of supporting the metabolism of the organ or tissue thereby preserving its functional integrity. The system also monitors parameters of the circulating perfusion solution, such as pH, temperature, osmolarity, flow rate, vascular pressure and partial pressure of respiratory gases, and regulates them to insure that the organ is maintained under near-physiologic conditions. Use of the system for long-term maintenance of organs for transplantation, for resuscitation and repair of organs having sustained warm ischemic damage, as a pharmaceutical delivery system and prognosticator of posttransplantation organ function is also disclosed. |