The effects of normothermic heparin pulmonary infusion on the transplanted lung injury hi a porcine lobar lung auto-transplantation model

Abstract

Objective To observe the effects of normothermic heparin pulmonary artery infusion on pulmonary function and ultra-structures in the swine model of left single lung auto-transplantation. Methods Eighteen healthy local pigs were used as experimental animals, received left pneumonectomy and lobar lung auto-transplantation (left lower lobe) , and divided into three groups randomly (n=6 in each group) according to different pulmonary artery perfusion protocols (control group with normothermic saline, normothermic heparin group with heparin in normal temperature, and cold EC group with 4 X. Euro-Collins). The blood samples and lung tissues were collected at baseline, 0. 5 , 1,2, and 4 h after lobar lung auto-transplantation respectively. The indices were determined as follows: PvO2, PvCO2, dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), and myeloperoxidase(MPO) content in the transplanted lung tissues. The lung tissue wet/dry ratio (W/D) was analyzed. At 4 h after lung (or lobar lung) auto-transplantation, the pulmonary grafts were sampled for ultra-structure observation under the electronic microscopy. Results Compared to control group at the 4th h post-operation, PvO2, PvCO2, Cydn, MPO and W/D levels and ultra-structures had significant difference in normothermic heparin group and cold EC group (P<0.05), but there was no difference between normothermic heparin group and cold EC group. Conclusion Pulmonary artery perfusion with normothermic heparin or cold Euro-Collins solution can preserve the transplanted lobar lung structure, reduce the ischemia-reperfusion injury, and maintain the gas exchange function. Pulmonary artery infusion with normothermic heparin meets the requirement of lobar lung auto-transplantation. Key words: Swine; Lung auto-transplantation; Perfusion fluid; Heparin