Effect of Low-Temperature Preservation in Optisol-GS on Preloaded, Endothelium-Out DMEK Grafts

Ruzza, Alessandro, Ferrari, Stefano, Airaldi, Matteo, Romano, Vito ORCID: 0000-0002-5148-7643 and Ponzin, Diego (2023) Effect of Low-Temperature Preservation in Optisol-GS on Preloaded, Endothelium-Out DMEK Grafts. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE, 12 (3). 1026-.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jcm12031026

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess different temperature ranges for the preservation of pre-loaded Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) grafts in the DMEK RAPID Mini device.<h4>Methods</h4>Three groups of 15 DMEK grafts (five per group) were pre-loaded in the DMEK RAPID Mini and preserved in Optisol-GS for 72 h at different temperatures: group A at >8 °C, group B between 2-8 °C and group C at <2 °C. After stripping and preservation, the viability of the endothelium, cell loss and morphology were assessed through light microscopy following trypan blue and alizarin red staining.<h4>Results</h4>Overall mortality was 4.07%, 3.97% and 7.66%, in groups A, B and C, respectively, with percentages of uncovered areas of 0.31%, 1.36% and 0.20% (all <i>p</i> > 0.05). Endothelial cell density variation was 5.51%, 3.06% and 2.82% in groups A, B and C, respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.19). Total Endothelial Cell Loss (ECL) was 4.37%, 5.32% and 7.84% in groups A, B and C, respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.39). Endothelial cell morphology was comparable in all three groups.<h4>Conclusions</h4>In the DMEK RAPID Mini, low temperatures (<2 °C) may affect the quality of pre-loaded grafts, inducing a higher ECL after 72 h of preservation, although no significant differences among groups could be proved. Our data would suggest maintaining grafts loaded in the DMEK RAPID Mini at temperatures between 2-8 °C for appropriate preservation.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	DMEK, eye bank, preloaded, temperature
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	30 Jan 2024 11:12
Last Modified:	30 Jan 2024 11:40
DOI:	10.3390/jcm12031026
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12031026
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3178132