Prostaglandin E1 or prostacyclin in Euro-Collins solution fails to improve lung preservation.
BACKGROUND
In search of the ideal composition of the flush solution for pulmonary preservation, we studied the effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and prostacyclin as an additive to Euro-Collins solution (ECS) on pulmonary hemodynamics and gas exchange in a porcine single lung transplantation model using extracorporeal circulation and right heart bypass.


METHODS
Twenty-two pigs served as donors. The animals were randomized to receive either modified ECS alone (control group, n = 8), ECS with 100 micrograms/L of PGE1 (PGE1 group, n = 6), or ECS with 200 micrograms/L of prostacyclin (prostacyclin group, n = 8). Left lung transplantation was performed in 22 recipients after approximately 4 hours of cold ischemia.


RESULTS
Carbon dioxide elimination was significantly depressed in the two prostaglandin groups, and the use of PGE1 was associated with a significant decrease in arterial oxygen tension compared with the control group. Both drugs were inefficient in alleviating the increase in pulmonary vascular resistance after transplantation.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of prostaglandins as constituents of the flush solution was not followed by any improvement of early graft function after cold ischemia.
Kukkonen
S
S
Department of Anesthesiology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Heikkilä
L J
LJ
Verkkala
K
K
Mattila
S P
SP
Toivonen
H
H
D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006982:Hypertonic Solutions; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D009926:Organ Preservation; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000187:drug effects; D013552:Swine; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
C037096:Euro-Collins' solution; D006982:Hypertonic Solutions; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D011464:Epoprostenol; D000527:Alprostadil