The effectiveness of an extracellular low-potassium solution in 24-hour lung graft preservation.

BACKGROUND

The transplanted lung suffers ischemia-reperfusion injury and many efforts have been made to improve preservation. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of intracellular high-potassium Belzer solution versus extracellular Celsior in 24-hour lung preservation.

MATERIAL/METHODS: Sixteen pigs weighing 25.1-28.1 kg underwent single, left-lung allotransplantation. Sixteen other pigs were donors of the left lung. Heart and lungs were retrieved from the donors using single-flush perfusion by a randomly selected solution that was also used for cold storage (4 degrees C) for 24 hrs. Biopsies were taken from the right lung before storage, after the preservation, and finally three hours following transplantation. The observation period lasted three hours following transplantation.

RESULTS

Pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were significantly higher in the Belzer group (p<0.05), while the pO2/FiO2 ratio was much higher in the Celsior group (p<0.05). Compliance was reduced approximately equally in both groups. Histology showed less edema, atelectasis, and hemorrhagic infiltration in the Celsior group than in the Belzer group, which developed more interstitial thickening and presented more leukocyte infiltration and desquamation of alveoli cells.

CONCLUSIONS

According to hemodynamic, respiratory, and histological data, the extra-cellular solution Celsior offers improved prolonged preservation compared with Belzer.