Řádek 21: University of Toronto x 3rd department of Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles
University in Prague and Motol University Hospital
1. Relevance of the strategy
This mobility project proposes the cooperation with the Department of Thoracic Surgery
and Toronto Lung Transplant Program of University of Toronto with the focus on Ex Vivo
Lung Perfusion (EVLP). The main goal of the stay is to introduce the EVLP into the clinical
practice in Lung Transplant Program in Prague.
This mobility project proposes the cooperation with the Department of Thoracic Surgery and Toronto
Lung Transplant Program of Univeristy of Toronto. Toronto is nowadays and historically world leading
institution in Lung Transplantation. The current director of Lung Transplant Program Prof. Shaf
Keshavjee has recently elaborated the method of Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP) which allows to
assess the function of suboptimal donor´s lung. The Toronto team is one of the few institutions using
this method also for treatment of originally poor functioning lungs. There is no other place in the
world that could offer the same level of education and experience on this field.
In our Lung Transplant Program at 1st Faculty of Medicine of Charles University and University
Hospital Motol during last two years we carried out several experiments on porcine and then also
human donor lungs to keep and evaluate the lung function on EVLP. However, when we finally
decided to implant the lungs, their function after the transplantation was poor and overall outcome
very discouraging. Our goal is to employ EVLP in clinical practice in the Czech Republic and so to
expand the pool of donor lungs and to enable to proceed more transplantations and so decrease the
mortality on the waiting list.
Regarding the complicated topic and the responsibility connected with indication/not indication of
EVLP lung for transplantation, this project is supposed to be fulfilled by experienced surgeon with
robust knowledge about lung transplantation and no by student or postgraduate student.
2. Quality of the cooperation arrangements
My role in the project is an observer in Toronto Lung Transplant Program. My main task
will be to adopt the method of Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion for clinical practice.
I have not had the experience with cooperation at University of Toronto neither in Canada yet.
My role in the project is an observer in Toronto Lung Transplant Program. My main task will be to
adopt the method of Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion for clinical practice, with the main concern on the
assessment of the perfused lungs and indication to use it for transplantation. I will also take the part
on indications, operations, postoperative care and imunosupresive therapy of lung transplant
patients.
3. Quality of project design and implementation
Present the different phases of the mobility project and summarise what partner organisations plan in terms of selection of
participants, the support provided to them and the recognition of their mobility period (in particular in the Partner Country).
In this mobility project the individual single rotation is planned.
The main purpose of the project is to employ the Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion to the clinical practice in the
Czech Republic. I expect that the stay for two months offers me enough experience to start this
activity at home. The further phase at this particular topic is not planned.
4. Impact and dissemination
Explain the desired impact of the mobility project on participants, beneficiaries, partner organisations and at local, regional
and national levels. Describe the measures which will be taken to disseminate the results of the mobility project at faculty
and institution levels, and beyond where applicable, in both the Programme and Partner Countries.
The main goal of this mobility project is to introduce the EVLP into the clinical practice in
our country. The number of the successfully transplanted patients with EVLP treated
grafts will be the main measurement of the impact of this project.
The experience gained at Toronto University bring us more skill with a proper perfusion of lung, more
understanding of evaluation of lung function and its feasibility for transplantation as well as
knowledge of special precautions during and after the transplantation of EVLP graft.
This will be of great benefit for Lung Transplantation Program in the Czech Republic and for our
patients.
The measure of the impact of this mobility project will be the number of the lung transplantations
with ex vivo reconditionized lungs.