NICE Backs Routine NHS Funding for Liver Perfusion Technology

Following a comprehensive clinical evaluation, NICE concluded that machine perfusion offers significant advantages over traditional static cold storage. By supplying an oxygenated solution to donor livers prior to surgery, the VitaSmart system facilitates better outcomes while maintaining cost-efficiency. The guidance, published under reference HTG780, positions this technology as a critical tool for surgeons managing deceased donor organs.

Don Webber, CEO of Bridge to Life, described the recommendation as a pivotal moment for establishing hypothermic oxygenated perfusion as the new standard of care. This move aligns the UK with broader European clinical practices, providing a standardized pathway for hospitals to adopt the technology. For transplant centers, the shift promises to simplify operating room logistics and increase the viability of organs from extended-criteria donors. Rebbeca Sanabria Mateos, a consultant at University Hospitals Birmingham, noted that the funding ensures equitable access to perfusion tools, ultimately expanding the pool of usable donor organs.