The Low Utilization Rate of Donor Lungs in China: A Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing number of organ donations, the utilization rate of donor lungs in China is much lower than that in many other countries. MATERIAL/METHODS: The donor lungs were evaluated before departure (stage 1), after on-site management (stage 2), and after harvesting (stage 3). Variables of donor lungs from medical institutions with lung transplant qualification (group A) and those without qualification (group B) were compared. The outcome measurements for lung recipients were early survival and primary graft dysfunction. RESULTS: Among the 277 donor lungs, 140 (51%) were suitable for transplantation and 101 were sent to our institution for 62 single-lung transplantations and 50 double-lung transplantations. The acceptability rates at stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3 were 78%, 56%, and 51%, respectively. In addition, 69 (50.4%) donor lungs were abandoned for poor quality related to management, 24 (17.5%) for no adequate recipients, 15 (10.9%) for family refusal, 14 (10.2%) for organ procurement organization-related reasons, and 15 (10.9%) for other reasons. Donors in group A were ventilated longer and had longer ischemic time than those in group B. However, bronchoscopy, imaging, and oxygenation in group A achieved better results than in group B. No between-group difference in 30-day mortality or rate of grade 3 primary graft dysfunction was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Problems at supply and demand ends contribute to the low utilization rate of donor lungs in China. The poor management of donor lungs and the short waiting list for lung transplantation are major reasons.