PULMONARY ARTERIAL CONTRIBUTION TO AIRWAY BLOOD-FLOW AFTER LUNG TRANSPLANTATION IN DOGS

Despite the improved success of lung transplantation, ischemia of the donor bronchus continues to be the most important factor influencing a irway healing. Recent studies have shown that at the level of the main stem bronchi the pulmonary contribution to the airway blood flow may b e equivalent to or greater than the systemic contribution and could th erefore assist early healing of the newly anastomosed bronchus and, in addition, might facilitate the improved healing associated with oment opexy. The aim of this study was to measure the pulmonary contribution to airway blood flow in dogs after allotransplantation of the left lu ng and to determine whether omentopexy might improve the healing proce ss. Using the radioactive microsphere technique, we measured the pulmo nary contribution to airway blood flow in 25 dogs 1 week after allotra nsplantation of the left lung. Half the dogs had an omental wrap aroun d the anastomotic site. Results showed that pulmonary blood flow incre ased progressively from lower trachea to distal mainstem bronchus and supplied the left mainstem bronchus above as well as below the anastom otic site. Omentopexy did not increase flow or enhance healing.