Mark Wrenn, a 40-year-old father from Doncaster, has become the first patient to undergo a life-saving lung transplant using groundbreaking organ-preserving technology at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.
From oxygen dependency to new lease on life
Wrenn, a telephone engineer, was fit and healthy until 2018 when he began experiencing breathlessness. His condition deteriorated, leading to a diagnosis of obliterative bronchiolitis combined with an autoimmune disease. His lung function plummeted to just 22%, leaving him permanently dependent on oxygen.
The transplant was made possible through the Newcastle Organ Assessment Hub (NOAH), which uses ex-vivo perfusion technology. This method keeps organs supplied with blood and nutrients after removal from the donor, preserving them for longer and allowing assessment to increase the number of viable organs for transplant.
How the technology works
Ex-vivo perfusion involves a machine that continuously supplies the organ with oxygenated blood and essential nutrients. Newcastle's NOAH facility is the only hub in the UK that uses this technology for lungs, kidneys, and livers simultaneously. A new machine at the Freeman Hospital further enhances the process.
Dr Gerard Meachery, joint director of the Freeman's heart and lung transplant programme, said: "Newcastle Hospitals is delighted to bring lung, liver and kidney perfusion together under one roof at NOAH. This transformative approach reflects our commitment to innovation and gives more patients the chance of life‑changing transplants."
Patient's gratitude
Wrenn, father to Ava, 15, and Lucas, 11, said: "Without NOAH, I would still be waiting for a transplant – it’s genuinely saved my life. When I was told about this new technology and the opportunity it gave me, it felt like hope. I’ve gone from being on permanent oxygen and struggling to do everyday things, to starting to get my life back again."
He added: "Being able to spend time with my wife and children and think about the future once more means everything. I’ll always be grateful to the donor family and to the teams here in Newcastle who made this possible."
Leading innovation
The Newcastle Hospitals NHS trust has been at the forefront of organ perfusion for over a decade, performing the first such lung transplant in the UK in 2009. The new NOAH facility and advanced equipment are expected to further increase transplant opportunities.
Mr Izanee Mydin, consultant surgeon who led the transplant alongside organ retrieval surgeon Mylvaganam Jeyakanthan, said: "I’m incredibly proud to have performed Freeman Hospital’s first EVLP-supported lung transplant using the XVIVO XPS machine in our new NOAH site— this is a major step forward for our programme."
Professor Andrew Fisher, NHS Blood and Transplant's national clinical lead, commented: "Mark’s story clearly shows the tremendous benefits that organ perfusion technology can have for people waiting for a transplant. Allowing organs that might not otherwise have been used to be carefully assessed and safely transplanted improves the chances of receiving a transplant and means more of the organs gifted can be successfully used."
Funding and support
The perfusion equipment was partly funded by Newcastle Hospitals Charity, with the Freeman Heart and Lung Transplant Association supporting specialist training. Charity director Teri Bayliss said: "As the official charity for Newcastle Hospitals, we’re proud to support innovative, lifesaving and life-changing technology like this. It is amazing to see the impact this is already having – and will continue to have - on patients and their families."
