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. 1990;17(3):228–233.

An Experimental Technique for Heart-Lung Transplantation in Subprimate Models

Michael P Macris 1, Takeshi Nakatani 1, Timothy J Myers 1, David E Lammermeier 1, Stephen R Igo 1, OH Frazier 1, Denton A Cooley 1
PMCID: PMC324922  PMID: 15227176

Abstract

The success of heart-lung transplant experiments in subprimate models has been limited because most techniques include total pulmonary denervation, which causes respiratory problems, blood loss, and subsequent death. Using 20 subprimates (12 domestic swine and 8 mongrel dogs), we tested a heterotopic heart-single lung transplant method intended to preserve unilateral pulmonary innervation and to reduce blood loss. After native right pneumonectomy, the donor heart and right lung were transplanted en bloc. Anastomotic sites included the right primary bronchus, the superior vena cava, and the aorta. Selective left bronchial intubation and partial occlusion techniques eliminated the need for cardiopulmonary bypass and mediastinal dissection. All 10 recipient animals survived the operation, and the need for blood transfusions was minimal (1.1 ± 0.7 [mean ± SD] units/procedure). Donor and native lung function, assessed by selective left atrial blood gases, were similar: mean PO2 was 229 ± 31 mmHg and 180 ± 25 mmHg, respectively; and mean PCO2, 36 ± 13 mmHg and 38±2 mmHg, respectively. Nine recipients were weaned from mechanical ventilation with a mean PCO2 of 38±4 mmHg.

Preserving unilateral pulmonary innervation allows normal respiration, and minimizing blood loss increases operative survival. Our method of heterotopic heart-single lung transplantation is reliable and could provide a functional heart-lung allograft for conducting future experimental studies of heart-lung transplantation. (Texas Heart Institute Journal 1990; 17:228-33)

Keywords: Transplantation

Keywords: heart-lung

Keywords: graft rejection

Keywords: animal

Keywords: dogs

Keywords: swine

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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