Donated lungs will be kept alive for up to six hours before transplant

Donated lungs can now be kept viable for up to six hours before transplantation thanks to an ex‑vivo perfusion machine that maintains oxygenation and circulation outside the body. The device is being prepared for deployment within the NHS, offering patients on waiting lists a longer window to receive suitable organs. For patients awaiting lung transplants, the extended window could translate into more matches with compatible donors. The Independent confirms the machine is set for NHS use, while the National Health Executive reports that NICE has formally endorsed the technology as a breakthrough for transplant access across England.

NICE describes the approach as a transformative step for equitable transplant access. Health Tech World highlights its potential to improve historically low transplantation rates, and The Guardian points to a likely rise in NHS transplant numbers. The Telegraph notes the six‑hour preservation claim. Widespread rollout will hinge on training clinicians, integrating the device into surgical workflows, and managing procurement costs.

Even with longer preservation, the overall supply of donor lungs remains limited, so the technology may enhance efficiency without fully eliminating waiting‑list pressures. Early pilots will assess impact on graft survival rates.