Multidrug-resistant organisms that are treated with a dosage that exceeds the regular dose a hundred times and at temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius – the human organism is unable to handle it. Yet if the diseased organ is treated outside of the body, extreme conditions are an option. For the first time, physicians have succeeded in treating a severe case of pneumonia by using the Organ Care System.
In this interview with MEDICA-tradefair.com, Professor Haverich describes the advantages of the Organ Care System, explains how the treatment works and reveals why these types of treatment should nevertheless remain the exception.
Professor Haverich, what exactly is the Organ Care System?
Prof. Axel Haverich: The Organ Care System (OCS) is used for the transport of donor organs – hearts or lungs – from the donor to the recipient hospital, while maintaining a near-physiologic and functioning state. What makes this system so unique is that the respective organ is supplied with blood, meaning it is kept in a living state. This means, a heart keeps on beating during the entire six to twelve hours it takes for transport. This system avoids Ischemia – the inadequate blood supply to an organ – used for the traditional organ preservation process in cold conditions. The system is slightly modified for lungs. During the transport, lungs are not only supplied with blood but also ventilated with oxygen. The OCS is able to maintain a near-physiologic state of the donor organ for many hours. ...
Read the complete interview with Prof. Axel Haverich at MEDICA-tradefair.com!