The presence of a local lung transplant center increases lung procurement rates

Background. The availability of cadaveric organs is the major problem in transplantation today. Methods. A retrospective review of donors in a single organ procurement organization (OPO) was performed. Donors were divided into three eras: before, during, and after the presence of a local lung transplant program. Lung procurement rates by OPO in the United States in 1999 and 2000 were also retrospectively reviewed. Results. Lung transplant rates were higher in the presence of a local lung program: 4.9% at baseline, 19.1% with a local program, and 7.1% after closure of the local lung program (P<0.01). In the United States, 12.4% of lungs available in OPOs with local lung programs are transplanted, versus 8.9% in OPOs without a local program (P<.001). Conclusions. Even if donor management protocols are maintained, closure of a local lung program decreases lung recovery rates. This observation supports the importance of maintaining local programs to maximize organ recovery rates.