Influence of Donor Age on the Endothelial Cell Density: Tricentric Randomized Trial. Part One: Baseline Donor Characteristics

Abstract

Purpose: : The influence of cornea donor age on the ECD in recipients is controversial. No controlled study has ever been conducted, except the american Cornea Donor Study (results expected in 2007) with an upper age limit at 75 years. Our study was designed to highlight a difference of 300 cells/mm² between young (18–55) and very old donors (80 and more) one year after graft. We report the baseline donor characteristics

Methods: : Tricentric double masked randomized trial. ECD and morphometry (CV of cell area(%), hexagonality(%)) were assessed using Sambacornea (Sambatechnologies) analyser at reception and at cession

Results: : Group1: n=46 young corneas of 45(8,range 29–55) vs group2: n=40 very old corneas of 87(4,80–99) years old. Organ culture duration: 14(4)days (similar in both groups). ECD at reception in group1 vs 2: 3107(344) vs 2971(295) (p=0.008); mean difference 190cells/mm², _95%CI[51;328]. ECD at cession in group1 vs 2: 2715(347) vs 2568(351) (p=0.055); mean difference 147cells/mm², _95%CI[–3;297]. Daily cell loss in group 1 vs 2: 0.97(0.95) vs 0.85(0.72), p=0.499). Morphometry: CV were comparable in both groups at reception 27(4) (p=0.374) and at cession 26(3)% (p=0.383); hexagonality evolved from 56(9) vs 55(9) at reception (p=0.454) to 54(8) vs 52(7)% (p=0.230) at cession in group 1 vs 2 respectively

Conclusions: : Morphometric parameters and daily cell loss were comparable during organculture. Logically we observed a slightly lower ECD in the very old corneas group especially at reception. Whether this difference will eventually influence the ECD in recipients will be analysed at patient follow up due in nov 2005. Acknowledgments: P Chavarin, O Garraud, S Herrag, M Zhao, H Hegelhoffer, P Ligot.

Keywords: aging • cornea: storage • transplantation