An interventional study of Hypothermic Machine Perfusion and Static Cold Storage in Liver Transplant and Liver Failure, sponsored by University of Sao Paulo General Hospital. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Brazil. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-19.
Sponsored by University of Sao Paulo General Hospital · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether hypothermic machine perfusion improves liver graft preservation and post-transplant outcomes compared to conventional static cold storage in adult patients undergoing liver transplantation. This study focuses on liver grafts from deceased donors, including those with extended criteria, which are more susceptible to ischemia-reperfusion injury and early graft dysfunction.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does hypothermic machine perfusion reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury and improve early graft function after liver transplantation? Does this preservation strategy improve clinical outcomes, including graft survival, complication rates, and post-transplant recovery, compared to static cold storage?
Researchers will compare hypothermic machine perfusion (ex situ, oxygenated perfusion at low temperature) to standard static cold storage to assess differences in graft preservation quality and post-transplant outcomes.
Participants will:
Receive a liver graft preserved either by hypothermic machine perfusion or static cold storage, according to a 1:1 randomization protocol Undergo standard liver transplantation procedures Be followed after transplantation with clinical, laboratory, imaging, and biomarker assessments at predefined time points (7 days, 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year)
Additional evaluations will include biochemical markers of liver function, inflammatory and immunological mediators, mitochondrial function assessment, and histological analysis to better characterize graft injury and recovery.
This is a prospective, single-center, randomized controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the impact of hypothermic machine perfusion on liver graft preservation and post-transplant outcomes in adult liver transplantation.
Liver transplantation is the standard treatment for end-stage liver disease; however, outcomes are strongly influenced by graft quality. The increasing use of extended criteria donors has introduced additional challenges, as these grafts are more susceptible to ischemia-reperfusion injury, a key determinant of early graft dysfunction and post-transplant complications. Conventional static cold storage, although widely used, does not prevent ongoing anaerobic metabolism and progressive depletion of cellular energy stores, contributing to mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammatory activation upon reperfusion.
Hypothermic machine perfusion has emerged as an alternative preservation strategy by providing continuous oxygenated perfusion under controlled hypothermic conditions. This approach aims to preserve mitochondrial integrity, reduce metabolic stress, and mitigate ischemia-reperfusion injury, thereby potentially improving graft viability and expanding the utilization of marginal organs.
In this study, liver grafts from deceased donors will be allocated to either hypothermic machine perfusion or conventional static cold storage. Following procurement, grafts assigned to the intervention group will undergo ex situ hypothermic perfusion using an oxygenated preservation solution under controlled conditions, while the control group will follow standard institutional preservation protocols.
All transplant procedures and perioperative management will be conducted according to institutional standards. Post-transplant follow-up will include clinical and laboratory monitoring to assess graft function and detect complications.
190 studies on the registry are indexed under Liver Failure; 33 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 40 is below the median of 57 across 113 interventional studies indexed under Liver Failure.
Browse Liver Failure studies →University of Sao Paulo General Hospital is the lead sponsor of 611 studies on the registry; 98 are open to participants now.
Of its 8 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 0 (0%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Donor-related inclusion criteria:
Recipient-related inclusion criteria:
Donor-related exclusion criteria:
Recipient-related exclusion criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.
Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.
Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
HIV
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hepatitis B tests
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.
Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
BMI (body mass index)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ALT and AST (liver enzymes)
Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.
Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ULN (upper limit of normal)
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Liver grafts are preserved using hypothermic machine perfusion prior to transplantation. Following procurement and an initial period of static cold storage, grafts undergo ex situ hypothermic oxygenated perfusion under controlled conditions before implantation.
Device: Hypothermic Machine Perfusion
Liver grafts are preserved using conventional static cold storage according to standard institutional protocols. Following procurement, grafts are maintained under hypothermic conditions without active perfusion or oxygenation until implantation.
Procedure: Static Cold Storage
Hypothermic machine perfusion of the liver graft is performed prior to transplantation using an ex situ perfusion system under controlled conditions, in which an oxygenated perfusate is circulated through the liver graft vasculature.
Liver graft preservation using conventional static cold storage under hypothermic conditions until transplantation.
Incidence of Early Allograft Dysfunction (EAD)
Early allograft dysfunction is defined according to established clinical criteria, including at least one of the following within the first 7 days after transplantation: total bilirubin ≥10 mg/dL on day 7, international normalized ratio (INR) ≥1.6 on day 7, or alanine or aspartate aminotransferase (ALT or AST) levels \>2000 IU/L within the first 7 days.
Time frame: Within 7 days after transplantation
Change in Liver Function Tests (AST, ALT, Total Bilirubin)
Serial measurements of liver function parameters, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin, obtained through routine laboratory testing following liver transplantation. Values will be analyzed over time to assess graft function and recovery.
Time frame: At 7 days, 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year after transplantation
Incidence of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
Occurrence of acute kidney injury following liver transplantation, defined based on changes in serum creatinine levels according to established clinical criteria.
Time frame: Within 7 days and up to 30 days after transplantation
Incidence of Post-Reperfusion Syndrome (PRS)
Occurrence of post-reperfusion syndrome during liver transplantation, defined as a decrease in mean arterial pressure greater than 30% from baseline within the first minutes after graft reperfusion, with or without the need for increased vasopressor support.
Time frame: During transplantation procedure
Incidence of Post-Transplant Complications
Occurrence of post-transplant complications, including biliary complications, vascular complications, infections, and acute rejection, assessed according to standard clinical definitions and severity grading systems.
Time frame: Up to 1 year after transplantation
Graft Survival
Survival of the transplanted liver graft without the need for retransplantation
Time frame: Up to 1 year after transplantation
Patient Survival
Survival of the transplant recipient following liver transplantation.
Time frame: Up to 1 year after transplantation
Length of Intensive Care Unit Stay
Duration of stay in the intensive care unit following liver transplantation.
Time frame: From liver transplantation until intensive care unit discharge, up to 30 days
Length of Hospital Stay
Duration of hospital stay following liver transplantation.
Time frame: From liver transplantation until hospital discharge, up to 30 days
Analysis of Perfusate Biomarkers
Assessment of biochemical and metabolic biomarkers in perfusate samples collected during hypothermic machine perfusion, aiming to evaluate graft viability and ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Time frame: During machine perfusion and immediately prior to transplantation
Assessment of Mitochondrial Function Biomarkers (Flavin Mononucleotide, FMN)
Measurement of mitochondrial injury and function through biomarkers such as flavin mononucleotide (FMN) in perfusate and/or biological samples, as an indicator of ischemia-reperfusion injury and graft viability.
Time frame: During machine perfusion period
Assessment of Inflammatory Biomarkers
Evaluation of inflammatory mediators, including cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), in biological samples to characterize the inflammatory response associated with transplantation and preservation strategies.
Time frame: During machine perfusion and within the first 7 days after transplantation
Histological Assessment of Liver Graft Injury
Histological evaluation of liver tissue samples to assess ischemia-reperfusion injury, inflammation, and structural integrity of the graft.
Time frame: During the perioperative period, including before and after machine perfusion and prior to transplantation
Plan to share: Undecided — No final decision has been made regarding the sharing of individual participant data (IPD). The study involves clinical data and biological samples, including biomarker analyses, which require careful consideration regarding data anonymization, ethical approvals, and institutional policies. A data sharing plan may be developed in the future in accordance with applicable regulations and journal requirements.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in May 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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