Pulmonary function after transplantation of grafts harvested from normothermic ischemia in a porcine survival model

ABSTRACT

We have previously shown the feasibility of lung procurement from nom-heart-beating donors in a porcine survival movel. Pulmonary function is now evaluated transplanted lungs subjected to 1 hour of normothermic ischemia in a similiar experimental model. Eight adult swine underwent left lung allotransplantation. Controls received lungs procured from heart-beating donors, and study group pigs received lungs harvest 1 hour after death from asphyxiation. Pulmonary function studies were undertaken 3 days after lung transplantation. Pulmonary vascular hemodynamics, pulmonary venous partial pressure of oxygen, dynamic airway compliance and resistence were equivalent in both grups. We conclude that transplanted lungs from non-heart-beating donors with 1 hour of warm ischemia are functionally viable