Why Cold Isn’t Enough: The Limits of Static Cold Storage in Organ Transplantation

Static cold storage has been a cornerstone of organ preservation for over 50 years, but its limitations are increasingly apparent in today’s high-demand transplant ecosystem. This passive method can’t provide oxygen or remove waste, leading to ischemia and limited preservation windows.

As donor criteria expand to include older and marginal organs, preservation methods must evolve. Hypothermic oxygenated perfusion techniques, like persufflation, offer active protection by oxygenating tissue and maintaining microvascular function.

Cold may slow the clock, but without oxygenation, time still runs out quickly. Next-generation methods that pair cooling with gas exchange are essential to support the complex needs of modern transplant logistics and patient outcomes.