Cardiac transplantation following a 24-h preservation using a perfusion apparatus

Background. We developed a new apparatus for heart preservation and have al ready reported successful transplantation following 12 h of preservation us ing this apparatus. The efficacy of coronary perfusion with an oxygenated C elsior solution was investigated through transplantation following 24 h of preservation using the apparatus. Materials and methods. After being harvested, grafts were preserved with a combination of immersion in a 4 degreesC Celsior solution and perfusion wit h an oxygenated Celsior solution using the apparatus in the coronary perfus ion (CP) group and simply immersed in a 4 degreesC Celsior solution in the simple immersion (SI) group. beta -Adenosine triphosphate (beta -ATP), phos phocreatine (Pcr), and inorganic phosphate (P-i) levels and myocardial pH ( pH(i)) were measured immediately after the heart was excised and at 12 and 24 h after preservation. Following preservation, orthotopic transplantation was performed. Cardiac function was measured 2 h after weaning from cardio pulmonary bypass (CPB). Results. beta -ATP/P-i, Pcr/P-i, and pH(i) levels were significantly higher in the CP group than in the SI group at 12 and 24 h after preservation. Fo ur of six animals in the CP group and two of six in the SI group were succe ssfully weaned from CPB. The recovery rates of cardiac function were better in the CP group than in the SI group. Conclusion. Twenty-four hours of heart preservation may be possible with a combination of immersion in a 4 degreesC Celsior solution and perfusion wit h an oxygenated Celsior solution using the perfusion apparatus. (C) 2001 Ac ademic Press.