This meta-analysis, comprising 1,017 patients across seven RCTs, demonstrates that both HOPE and NMP significantly reduce early allograft dysfunction (EAD) rates compared to SCS. HOPE was associated with a marked reduction in major post-transplant complications (Clavien ≥IIIb), re-transplantation rates, and graft loss. While both HOPE and NMP likely reduce overall biliary complications and non-anastomotic biliary strictures (NAS), HOPE had a statistically significant advantage in reducing NAS incidence. Graft survival at one year was significantly improved with HOPE, whereas NMP did not show a substantial difference in long-term outcomes. These findings support the broader adoption of HOPE and highlight the need for further long-term follow-up studies to optimize perfusion protocols in clinical liver transplantation.
Parente A, Tirotta F, Pini A, et al. Machine perfusion techniques for liver transplantation – A meta-analysis of the first seven randomized-controlled trials. J Hepatol. 2023;79(5):1201-1213. doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2023.05.027
