Normothermic Machine Perfusion (NMP)
NMP keeps a donor liver oxygenated and metabolically active during transport, instead of preserving it on ice (cold storage). The liver is connected to a portable device that pumps warm, oxygen-rich blood through it, mimicking the body's own circulation.
Why this matters for transplant patients:
- Older or marginal donor livers become safer to use. Cold storage stresses these livers more; NMP preserves and lets the team assess function before committing to the transplant.
- Surgical scheduling is more flexible. Cold storage forces a fast clock; NMP buys hours, which can mean better-prepared OR teams.
- Some centers report fewer biliary complications in NMP-preserved grafts.
Two FDA-approved devices are commonly cited: OrganOx Metra and TransMedics OCS. The companion article OrganOx vs. TransMedics covers the device differences caregivers ask about.
If you are evaluating centers, ask whether they have an active NMP program, which device(s) they use, and how often they accept livers that needed NMP to be transplantable.
Educational only — clinician review pending. Not medical advice. Your transplant team has the final word.