The Use of Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy at Hypothermia to Assess the Status of Donor Livers: A Pilot Study in the Clinical Setting

Abstract

A technique is described to perform magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies at hypothermia on human donor livers in a prospective fashion in the time interval between organ flushing and subsequent transplantation. The method allowed MRS to be performed without manipulating or removing the livers from the ice transport boxes. Both phosphorus (³¹P) and proton (¹H) MRS were investigated in a pilot study of six livers. The ³¹P spectra obtained demonstrated the presence of a variety of phosphorylated intermediates, including residual adenosine triphosphate in some organs. The ¹H spectra demonstrated that signals from lipid side chains could be observed only in one organ, which displayed the gross morphological signs of fatty infiltration. This pilot study is the first to report on both ³¹P and ¹H spectra in the same donor livers at hypothermia. The technique shows promise as a method for assessing donor liver status prior to transplantation.