A Direct Comparison Between Institut Georges Lopez 1 and Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate Preservation Solutions in Liver Transplantation

The Institut Georges Lopez 1 (IGL-1) solution was developed to improve the outcomes of solid organ transplantation. Nevertheless, follow-up of liver transplants using IGL-1-preserved organs is still scarce. To compare morbidity, postoperative complications, and early survival between liver grafts perfused with IGL-1 and those perfused with histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solutions. Prospective liver grafts perfused with IGL-1 (n = 65) were paired with a historical control group of recipients whose grafts were preserved with HTK solution (n = 130). The primary endpoint was the sum of the incidence of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) and primary graft nonfunction (PGNF). Secondary endpoints included resource utilization, complications, and survival analysis. In the HTK group, 52 patients (40%) exhibited either PGD or PGNF, compared to 20 patients (31%) in the IGL-1 group (P = .208). Patients from the HTK group had higher mean values for cryoprecipitate transfusion (P = .0064), first day serum lactate (P = .0099), higher incidence of vascular complications (11% vs 2% in the IGL-1 group; P = .0226), but a lower incidence of infection (7% vs 28% in the IGL-1 group; P < .0001). The IGL-1 group presented a lower mean aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) on the first and second postoperative day and a lower ALT on the seventh day. Recipients of grafts perfused with IGL-1 had a better early survival than those whose grafts were perfused with HTK. Both solutions are safe and present good results. Grafts perfused with IGL-1 showed decreased enzymatic peaks and better short-term survival rates than the HTK group. The use of the IGL-1 solution might be preferable. •Institut Georges Lopez 1 (IGL-1) and histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) are both safe solutions to preserve liver grafts.•IGL-1 solution presents an incidence of primary graft dysfunction (PGD), primary graft nonfunction (PGNF), morbidity, and postoperative complications comparable to HTK.•Grafts perfused with IGL-1 showed decreased enzymatic peaks and better survival rates than the HTK group.•Cold ischemia time was an independent risk factor for PGD and PGNF.