EXTENDED LUNG PRESERVATION WITH THE USE OF HIBERNATION TRIGGER FACTORS

Background. The complications of preserving lungs for transplantation are well known, with successful transplantation only being assured by preservation times of 5 to 6 hours or less. If a new method of consist ent lung preservation could be identified, lung transplantation could be extended to many patients. We have previously reported lung preserv ation times averaging 14.8 hours using a multiorgan autoperfusion bloc k infused with physiologic saline solution as a model. When plasma fro m deeply hibernating woodchucks (Marmota monax) or the delta opioid DA DLE was infused into the multiorgan block, lung preservation times inc reased threefold to 45 hours. Methods. In this study, we examined the effect of infusing plasma containing the hibernation induction trigger molecule on lung preservation for transplantation using a multiorgan autoperfusion block. Results. This study demonstrated that successful orthotopic transplantation of single canine lungs is possible after 24 to 33 hours of preservation when the lung has been maintained with pl asma containing the hibernation induction trigger molecule. Conclusion s. Theoretically, hibernation induction trigger could be administered to donors before lung harvest in an effort to extend lung preservation times.