A novel rat model of orthotopic liver transplantation after cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Abstract

Objective To establish a stable rat model of orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT) after cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Methods The OLT model was established using Kammada two-cuff technique with little modification. The donor rat’s abdominal aorta was clipped for 5 minutes to simulate the cardiac arrest and CPR before transplantation. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) of the controlled group and the experimental group were examined before transplantation. Results Of the total 50 cases of surgery, 46 cases were successful, and the success rate of the model was 92%. The donor and recipient operation time was (49±4) min and (54±5) min, respectively. The anhepatic phase was (17±2) min. The serum levels of ALT and AST of the experimental group were significantly higher than that of the controlled group (P=0.037, 0.023). Conclusion Based on the Kammada two-cuff technique, the rat model of OLT after cardiac arrest and CPR is stable, reliable and reproducible. The model simulated the cardiac arrest and CPR of the donor before liver transplantation, providing a new experimental method of studying the liver transplantation of this kind of donors. Key words: Two-cuff technique; Rat; Liver transplantation model; Cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation