Improving the use of donor lungs for transplantation through advanced imaging techniques
Official title: Using Advanced Imaging to Improve Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10999701 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on better ways to check the health of donor lungs that might not usually be used for transplants, using new imaging techniques to help more patients get the lung transplants they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $782,110 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL175937-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10999701 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with end-stage lung disease who are in need of a lung transplant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not candidates for lung transplantation or those with conditions that preclude them from receiving a transplant may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the evaluation of donor lungs that are often deemed unsuitable for transplantation. By utilizing advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to develop a system that can assess the structural, functional, and metabolic health of donor lungs more comprehensively. This approach seeks to improve the ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) process, which preserves and evaluates lungs before transplantation, potentially allowing more 'marginal' lungs to be used. Patients may benefit from this research as it could lead to an increase in available donor lungs for transplantation, improving outcomes for those in need of lung transplants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the number of viable donor lungs available for transplantation, improving survival rates and quality of life for patients with severe lung disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using advanced imaging techniques to assess organ viability, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements in lung transplantation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rizi, Rahim R — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Rizi, Rahim R
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.