Long-term normothermic autoperfusion of the cardiopulmonary complex ex vivo as a method of effective graft conditioning: an experimental study

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of 6-hour normothermic autoperfusion of a heart graft ex vivo with pharmaco-cold preservation using Bretschneider's solution (Custodiol, Dr Franz Köhler Chemie GmbH, Bensheim, Germany).Methods: Landrace pigs weighing 50 ± 5 kg and aged 4–5 months (n = 10) were selected as a model for a series of acute experiments. Cardiopulmonary conditioning using autoperfusion was conducted for 6 hours on the experimental group (n = 5). On the other hand, the control group underwent a 6-hour pharmaco-cold preservation with Bretschneider solution to recover the heart's pumping function. Graft preservation effectiveness was evaluated by measuring hemodynamic parameters, heartbeat, and myocardial ischemia marker concentrations.Results: After reperfusion and isolation of the working cardiopulmonary complex, cardiac output was 0.63 [0.37; 0.8] L/min and 0.37 [0.23; 0.37] L/min in the experimental and control groups, respectively (P < .05). The levels of CPK-MB, LDH, troponin-I, and lactate in the coronary sinus blood was significantly higher in the control group.Conclusion: The study demonstrated significant benefits of normothermic autoperfusion in maintaining the morphofunctional status of the donor heart compared to pharmaco-cold preservation using Bretschneider's solution for 6 hours of ex vivo graft conditioning. Received 16 July 2023. Revised 8 September 2023. Accepted 11 September 2023. Funding: The study was carried out within the framework of project No. 23-25-10013 (agreement No. 23-25-10013 dated April 20, 2023 with the Russian Science Foundation, agreement No. р-52 dated April 3, 2023 with the Ministry of Science and Innovation Policy of the Novosibirsk Region). Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Contribution of the authorsConception and study design: M.O. Zhulkov, D.A. Sirota, I.S. ZykovData collection and analysis: M.O. Zhulkov, A.R. Tarkova, I.S. Zykov, A.G. Makaev, A.V. Protopopov, M.N. Murtazaliev, F.Yu. Kosimov, N.A. Karmadonova, Ya.M. Smirnov, E.E. Kliver, A.M. Volkov, H.A. Agaeva, D.A. SirotaStatistical analysis: M.O. ZhulkovDrafting the article: M.O. ZhulkovCritical revision of the article: M.O. Zhulkov, D.A. Sirota, I.S. ZykovFinal approval of the version to be published: M.O. Zhulkov, A.R. Tarkova, I.S. Zykov, A.G. Makaev, A.V. Protopopov, M.N. Murtazaliev, F.Yu. Kosimov, N.A. Karmadonova, Ya.M. Smirnov, E.E. Kliver, A.M. Volkov, H.A. Agaeva, D.A. Sirota