The no-body problem: evaluation of OrganOx-generated liver perfusate for matrix effects on routine chemistry assays on the Beckman Coulter AU5800 series automated platform.

OBJECTIVE The OrganOx metra is a recent innovation approved by the US Food and Drug Administration that enables continuous ex vivo perfusion of a donor liver prior to transplantation. A mixture of human blood products, added nutrients, and drugs is perfused throughout the liver to sustain its viability. This study determines whether the perfusate matrix affects the analytical accuracy of biochemical parameters used to evaluate the function of the donor liver before transplantation. METHODS A mixing study was conducted to evaluate the percent recovery of total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactic acid, glucose, and lactate dehydrogenase in OrganOx metra perfusate using the Beckman Coulter AU5800 automated platform. Perfusate pools were mixed with pooled patient plasma (Li Hep) in the following ratios: 1:4, 1:1, and 4:1. These mixtures were measured alongside straight patient plasma and straight perfusate. RESULTS Agreement between expected and measured values, with a percent recovery for all tested analytes, was between 92% and 109%. Detrimental matrix effects were not observed. CONCLUSIONS The Beckman Coulter AU5800 analyzer provides reliable and accurate biochemical analysis of OrganOx metra perfusate during ex vivo preservation. The findings validate its suitability for perfusate analysis, supporting its potential use in clinical and research settings.