[Ventilation and gas exchange following delayed autotransplantation of the lung by 24-hour-long conservation period].

The retarded orthotopic autotransplantation of the left lung by preservation for 24 hours were carried out in 82 dogs. The lungs were preserved in moderate hypothermia of +4 degrees C without perfusion. The alterations of the external breathing were investigated in 24 animals with an uncomplicated postoperative course. The disturbances of the external breathing and the reduced compensatory effects of the autotransplanted lung led to an arterial and venous hypoxemie and to a metabolic acidosis in the immediate postoperative period. The disorders of the gas-exchange across the alveolo-capillary membrane were the reason. - The restitution of the functional and compensatory effects of the autotransplanted lung was observable 2 months after the operation. The function of the left autotransplanted and the right intact lung were normalized in animals with uncomplicated postoperative course in the late postoperative period (maximum observation period 6 years). Then adequate values of the gas-exchange and the ventilation guarantee a full oxygenation of the blood and normal parameters of the acid-base metabolism.