Impact of retrograde graft preservation in Perfadex-based experimental lung transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
Optimal preservation of postischemic organ function is a continuing challenge in clinical lung transplantation. Retrograde instillation of preservation solutions has theoretical advantages to achieve a homogeneous distribution in the lung due to perfusion of both the pulmonary and the bronchial circulation. Thus far, no systematic screening studies followed by in vivo large animal reevaluation including stereological analysis of intrapulmonary edema exist concerning the influence of retrograde preservation on postischemic lung function after preservation with low potassium dextran (LPD) solution (Perfadex).


METHODS
For initial screening in an extracorporeal rat model eight lungs, each, were preserved for 4 h using antegrade or retrograde preservation with LPD solution (Perfadex; PER(ant)/PER(ret)). Respiratory and hemodynamic results after reperfusion were compared to low-potassium Euro-Collins (LPEC). For systematic reevaluation, five pig lungs, each, were preserved correspondingly for 27 h, and results were compared to sham-operated control lungs. In both models, edema formation was quantified stereologically. Statistics comprised different ANOVA models.


RESULTS
In both models, use of PER(ret) resulted in significantly higher oxygenation capacity, lower inspiratory pressures, and lower amounts of intraalveolar edema as compared to PER(ant). Results of PER(ret) were not different from sham controls in the in vivo model; furthermore, a continuous retrograde elimination of blood clots from pulmonary microcirculation was noticed.


CONCLUSIONS
Retrograde application of LPD solution (Perfadex) results in significant functional and histological improvement as compared to antegrade perfusion. This innovative technique can be applied very easily in clinical practice and might be an ideal adjunct to further optimize the results after lung transplantation with LPD-based graft protection.
Wittwer
Thorsten
T
Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Friedrich-Schiller University, 07740 Jena, Germany. Th.Wittwer-MD@t-online.de
Franke
Ulrich
U
Fehrenbach
Antonia
A
Meyer
Daniel
D
Sandhaus
Tim
T
Pfeifer
Felix
F
Dreyer
Niels
N
Mueller
Thomas
T
Schubert
Harald
H
Richter
Joachim
J
Wahlers
Thorsten
T
D000818:Animals; D002951:Citrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005112:Extracorporeal Circulation; D001239:Inhalation; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008170:Lung Compliance; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D008297:Male; D009926:Organ Preservation; D010100:Oxygen; D010477:Perfusion; D011312:Pressure; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000473:pathology; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012119:Respiration; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors; D014109:Total Lung Capacity; D014655:Vascular Resistance
D002951:Citrates; C070005:Perfadex; D010100:Oxygen