Pulmonary angiography—Sequential changes during acute rejection of canine lung allografts

Abstract

The sequential angiographic changes accompanying unmodified immunologic rejection of canine lung allografts were described. Prolonged transit time with persistence of the contrast material in the small pulmonary arteries were the first characteristic changes seen on day 4–6 after pulmonary transplantation. The microscopic findings at that time consisted of perivascular mononuclear cell infiltrates but no thrombosis. No apparent vascular damage had yet occurred. As the rejection process progressed and the small pulmonary vessels were obliterated, retrograde flow of the contrast material was seen. The angiographic appearance of the rejecting pulmonary allografts was sufficiently characteristic to establish criteria for the diagnosis of early acute rejection.