Preservation and transplantation of dog organs maintained in vivo for 24 hours by mechanical ventricular assistance

Abstract

Direct mechanical ventricular assistance offers a simple and effective method to restore the circulation postmortem and preserve organs in situ, for subsequent transplantation. In 12 dogs, MVA was employed for 24 hours after ventricular fibrillation was induced. After defibrillation, renal, hepatic, pulmonary, and cardiac function were evaluated and compared to results in nine control dogs which underwent thoracotomy and 24 hours of anesthesia with intact circulation. Five dogs in each group survived more than 48 hours. After death or sacrifice of the animals, gross and microscopic organ changes were evaluated. Abnormalities of structure and function were somewhat more severe in assisted dogs than in controls, but the changes appeared reversible. Two of three kidneys preserved by MVA for 24 hours functioned adequately after transplantation into nephrectomized recipients. Advantages of mechanical ventricular assistance in restoring cadaver bloodflow and the role of this method in a clinical transplantation program are discussed.