THE EFFECT OF HYPOTHERMIC PRESERVATION OF THE HEART AND LUNGS ON CARDIORESPIRATORY FUNCTION FOLLOWING CANINE HEART-LUNG TRANSPLANTATION

The effect of hypothermic preservation of the heart and lungs with a crystalloid solution was evaluated in 12 mongrel dogs receiving heart-lung allografts. Six animals served as controls and received an immediate heart-lung transplant. Six animals were in the experimental group and received a heart-lung transplant after 5 h of preservation at 4.degree. C following perfusion of both organs with a crystalloid solution. Physiological function of the heart and lungs was studied for 20 h after transplantation. While cardiac function was minimally depressed following preservation, pulmonary function testing demonstrated significantly greater increases in extravascular lung water in experimental animals, suggesting that an ischemic lung injury occurred with this preservation technique. The model allows for future evaluation of other methods of combined preservation of both the heart and lungs for transplantation.