Cadaver kidney preservation with Viacell organ perfusion apparatus.

Sixty-five kidneys (63 homografts and two autografts) underwent ex vivo preservation for periods of up to 34 hours with the Viacell renal perfusion system. Eighty percent of the homografts and both of the autografts functioned immediately. A correlation existed between poor perfusion characteristics and poor immediate function. Prolonged perfusion with this apparatus (more than 20 hours) probably had no deleterious effect on ultimate than 20 hours) probably had no deleterious effect on ultimate graft function. The machine offers portability, rapid refitting, and the ability to perfuse each kidney separately.