Breakthrough Kidney Transplant Achieved Using KidneyVault Technology

Paragonix Technologies has announced a significant advancement in organ preservation with the successful transplantation of a donor kidney that underwent continuous hypothermic machine perfusion for over 30 hours using the KidneyVault Portable Renal Perfusion System. This remarkable case took place at the Tampa General Hospital Transplant Institute, where the kidney was ultimately transplanted after a total cold ischemic time (CIT) exceeding 46 hours.

The donor kidney initially received approval from a transplant center but was later declined due to scheduling issues. Consequently, the organ reached the exhaustion stage on the national donor list, a status that typically leads to its discard. In a last-ditch effort to honour the donor’s wishes, the local organ procurement organization (OPO) reached out to alternative centers, highlighting the advantages of the KidneyVault system for continuous organ perfusion. This proactive outreach resulted in the kidney being accepted and successfully transplanted by Dr. Chloe Wang, an Abdominal Transplant Surgeon at the Tampa facility, following a direct commercial flight covering 2,058 nautical miles. The patient was discharged without complications, notably avoiding delayed graft function.

Under conventional circumstances, donor kidneys are preserved through hypothermic methods, either via ice or machine perfusion, and must be transplanted within 24 hours of cold ischemia. A 2022 study indicated that over 80% of donor kidneys met this timeframe, while incidences of CIT exceeding 36 hours are rare. In fact, only 1.8% of transplants were performed after more than 40 hours of CIT. Such extended ischemic durations are linked to greater risks of delayed graft function and long-term complications, underscoring the critical role of advanced preservation techniques.

The KidneyVault system represents a notable improvement over static cold storage methods. It maintains continuous circulation of preservation solution through the organ, which reduces cellular damage and helps alleviate ischemia-reperfusion injury. Cleared by the FDA in October 2024, the KidneyVault system is designed for comprehensive hypothermic perfusion with integrated real-time remote monitoring capabilities. Its portability ensures logistical flexibility while sustaining consistent preservation conditions, even during prolonged storage periods.

With kidney transplant candidates comprising around 86% of the national transplant waitlist—approximately 90,000 individuals in 2024—the demand for effective organ utilization strategies remains imperative. Innovations like the KidneyVault system are pivotal in enhancing transplant opportunities, especially for marginal or logistically challenging donor organs.

Dr. Kiran Dhanireddy, Vice President and Chief of the Tampa General Hospital Transplant Institute, emphasized the institution’s commitment to leveraging technology for patient benefit. He stated, “Our collaboration with Paragonix across all solid organ programs enables us to evaluate and utilize donor organs from greater distances and with increased medical complexity. Advanced preservation technologies directly support our shared mission to increase access and maximize transplant opportunities.”

This case exemplifies the evolving landscape of organ transplantation and the potential for advanced preservation technologies to transform outcomes for patients in need. As the field progresses, the focus on maximizing the utilization of available organs will be paramount in addressing the critical shortages faced by transplant programs globally.