In the OCS machine, air is ventilated into the lungs while they are being transported, allowing them to "breathe" almost as if they are inside a body.
The FDA has approved the use of the OCS for lung transplants. And Tampa General Hospital performed the first such lung transplant in Florida on Oct. 22.
Livers
People who need transplants include those with diseases that prevent the liver from performing its essential body functions. Livers come from deceased donors who have suffered brain death or cardiac death. Partial liver transplants sometimes come from living donors.
In the OCS machine, blood, oxygen and nutrients flow through the donated liver and it produces bile, one of its essential functions, almost as if it is inside a body.
Tampa General Hospital is participating in a multicenter national clinical trial to evaluate efficacy of the OCS for liver transplantation. After the conclusion of the study, the results will be used to obtain FDA approval for clinical use.
Hearts
People who need transplants include those who have advanced heart diseases but are healthy enough to be well with a transplanted heart.
Currently, hearts come from deceased donors who have suffered brain death. The OCS is being used to explore the potential for using hearts from patients who have died a cardiac death.
In the OCS machine, blood is sent into the heart, which prompts the heart tissue to activate electrical impulses and begin beating.
Tampa General Hospital will participate in a clinical trial on the use of OCS for heart transplantation.
ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL
Tampa General Hospital, a 1007-bed non-profit academic medical center, delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. It is one of the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With five medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center and its 32-bed Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to an 82-bed Level IV neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes 14 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Brandon Healthplex, TGH Virtual Care and 15 outpatient Radiology Centers. Tampa Bay residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track network of clinics, and they can even receive home visits in select areas through TGH Urgent Care at Home, powered by Fast Track. As one of the largest hospitals in Florida, Tampa General Hospital is first in the state to open a command center in partnership with GE Healthcare.
