Effective 6-hour preservation in non-heart-beating donor canine lungs with topical cooling: Assessment from histopathological aspects

Purpose. This study assesses the possibility of preserving and transplanting non-heart-beating donor (NHBD) lungs under topical cooling for 6 h. Methods. The donor dogs were killed and heparinized after cardiac arrest. After 10 min of cardiac massage, the bilateral lungs were deflated. In group 1 ( n = 6), the recipient dogs were transplanted and the lungs preserved at 4 ° C for 6 h. In group 2 ( n = 2), the recipients received lungs preserved at room temperature for 4 h. In both groups the right main bronchus, pulmonary artery, and pulmonary vein were clamped and ventilated to examine the lung function. Results. The mean total ischemic time before reperfusion was 7 h 48min ( group 1) and 5 h 55min ( group 2). All dogs in group 1 survived with excellent hemodynamics and gas exchange function. Both dogs in group 2 revealed congestion immediately after reperfusion, and consequently died. Conclusions. We concluded that it is possible to use NHBD lungs for clinical lung transplantation if topical cooling can be initiated soon after irreversible cardiac arrest. Topical cooling of NHBD lungs allows at least 6 h for preparation before transplantation.