Clinical experience with histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution in abdominal organ preservation: a review of recent literature

Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution was introduced by Bretschneider as a cardioplegia solution in the early 1980s and has subsequently been applied to organ preservation for transplantation in Europe during the 1980s and in North America during the last six yr. With the increasing use of HTK for primary preservation, it is important that the transplant community be aware of the properties of this solution and the advantages and disadvantages of its use. Even if a center uses an alternative preservation solution, it is likely that import offers will be made for allo-grafts that have been preserved in HTK. In this review article, recent literature describing the clinical use of HTK in abdominal transplantation will be summarized with references to earlier reports when indicated.