Cambridge, Massachusetts–based Paragonix evaluated its LUNGGuard against conventional ice-cold storage. The study used real-world, multi-center data collected from the GUARDIAN-Lung Registry. This analysis demonstrated a favorable influence from advanced lung preservation technology on post-transplant outcomes.
Paragonix said it observed a 24% reduction in one-year readmission rates. These readmission rates often indicate potentially costly post-transplant complications.
Dr. John Haney served as U.S. principal investigator of the GUARDIAN-Lung study. He also serves as surgical director of the lung transplant program at Duke University. In a news release, he said the data suggests a more favorable experience post-transplant compared to the traditional method of storing lungs over ice. This only represents the beginning, though, he noted.
“These results remain limited by the cohort size, but they are just the beginning of our efforts to study the effects of advanced lung preservation and optimize cold storage,” said Haney. “We will continue to study the potential impact of Paragonix lung preservation technology in an effort to provide the most advanced care to end-stage lung failure patients on the transplant wait list.”
More about the Paragonix LUNGGuard data
The study collected data from April 2019 to January 2023. It observed 239 total patients, split up between 129 with LUNGguard and 110 with ice storage. Data came from five transplant centers across the U.S.
Study results demonstrated reductions in a variety of post-transplant complications. Those include numerical reductions in median ICU length of stay and a reduction in primary graft dysfunction (PGD) at 72 hours. The median ICU stay came in at 4.8 days for LUNGguard, compared to 5.7 for ice storage. Paragonix says the PGD reduction totaled 16.4% for LUNGguard compared to 10.9% on ice storage.
LUNGguard holds FDA clearance and CE mark for transporting, storing and monitoring donor lungs in transit. The device uses proprietary cooling technology to monitor and regulate the temperature of the donor organ.
“Our goal at Paragonix is to not only improve transplant patient outcomes but improve the transplant experience,” said Dr. Lisa Anderson, CEO and president of Paragonix Technologies. “The results of this study demonstrate the significant impact that advanced hypothermic preservation may have on transplant recipients. Now, over 25% of U.S. Lung Transplant Centers, as well as multiple centers across Europe, trust LUNGguard to safeguard donor organs en route to their waitlist patients.
“We will continue to innovate to ensure we provide the most clinically impactful technology to our surgeon community and their patients.”
