title: Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion in the Rat: Detailed Procedure and Videos.
abstract: Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) is a promising procedure for evaluation, reconditioning, and treatment of marginal lungs before transplantation. Small animal models can contribute to improve clinical development of this technique and represent a substantial platform for bio-molecular investigations. However, to accomplish this purpose, EVLP models must sustain a prolonged reperfusion without pharmacological interventions. Currently available protocols only partly satisfy this need. The aim of the present research was accomplishment and optimization of a reproducible model for a protracted rat EVLP in the absence of anti-inflammatory treatment. A 180 min, uninjured and untreated perfusion was achieved through a stepwise implementation of the protocol. Flow rate, temperature, and tidal volume were gradually increased during the initial reperfusion phase to reduce hemodynamic and oxidative stress. Low flow rate combined with open atrium and protective ventilation strategy were applied to prevent lung damage. The videos enclosed show management of the most critical technical steps. The stability and reproducibility of the present procedure were confirmed by lung function evaluation and edema assessment. The meticulous description of the protocol provided in this paper can enable other laboratories to reproduce it effortlessly, supporting research in the EVLP field.
authors.affiliation: Center for Surgical Research, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.|Center for Preclinical Investigation, Dipartimento di Anestesia, Rianimazione ed Emergenza Urgenza, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia Alessandra
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9196-6975
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Bassani
authors.affiliation: Center for Surgical Research, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.|Center for Preclinical Investigation, Dipartimento di Anestesia, Rianimazione ed Emergenza Urgenza, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lonati
authors.affiliation: Center for Surgical Research, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brambilla
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rapido
authors.affiliation: Center for Preclinical Investigation, Dipartimento di Anestesia, Rianimazione ed Emergenza Urgenza, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.|Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Valenza
authors.affiliation: Center for Surgical Research, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gatti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010477:Perfusion; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015203:Reproducibility of Results