Machine breathes new life into fatty livers for transplant

NCT ID NCT06088758

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This trial tests whether a machine called Normothermic Machine Perfusion (NMP) can revive moderately fatty donor livers so they can be safely transplanted. Researchers will place livers with 30-60% fat on the machine, check their quality, and transplant those that meet safety criteria. The goal is to increase the number of usable donor livers and reduce waitlist deaths.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) device
What this could lead to: If successful, this could allow more fatty livers to be used for transplant, reducing waitlist deaths and expanding the donor organ pool.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage, single-site trial with only 200 participants. The procedure may not work for all fatty livers, and there are risks of poor graft function or need for retransplant.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

chronic liver failure

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

LIVER TRANSPLANT

Contacts and locations

Locations

Massachusetts General Brigham
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

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