An Onoway man is grateful for his new kidney that he received via transplant at the University of Alberta Hospital using new technology. “It’s been worth every little discomfort I’ve experienced to have that kidney, to have it continuing to function better than my own two kidneys,” David Cliplef told CTV News Edmonton. “It’s just wonderful to have peace.” The medical apparatus used in Cliplef’s transplant is called Xvivo and is used to store organs with minimal damage and extend the life of said organs. “It’s a technology called hypothermic machine perfusion,” said Max Levine, the surgical director of the kidney transplant program at the U of A Hospital. “It introduces oxygen into the circulation, which improves the outcomes of our patients’ kidneys after transplant, “This is an evolution in the transplant technology that we’ve been using previously.” The U of A hospital is the first in Canada to use the technology. “The University of Alberta has always been a bit of a leader in transplant sciences and we’re always looking to improve patient outcomes,” said Levine. Cliplef has already been back at work as a veterinarian for two weeks. “I was up and walking within a few days and out of the hospital within about seven or eight days,” he said. “I expected to be in the hospital for a couple of weeks, so I’d have to say my experience has been very positive.” The Xvivo reduces injury and helps with the recovery process. Levine says they’ve noticed a tangible difference in the improvement in kidney function early after their transplant when using the device. “You don’t want to see anybody have a complication or suffer unnecessarily, so it’s really invigorating to see patients do well after a transplant,” said Levine. “It’s hard to put into words, but it’s very fulfilling.” With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Connor Hogg and Curtis Goodrum
