Heart and lung preservation using a new solution; UCLA Formula

Abstract

Heart and lung preservation is a significant barrier in clinical heart and lung transplantation. In a previous study, we have shown that UCLA Formula, modified from cardioplegic solution, has a favorable effect on lung preservation. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the simultaneous flushing method using UCLA Formula alone on both heart and lung preservation. We conducted six experiments using 18 mongrel dogs, weighing 20-28 kg. In the donor animals, the heart and lungs were each flushed with 500 ml of cold UCLA Formula, using two catheters, one inserted into the ascending aorta and the other into the main pulmonary artery. After the heart and lung block was trimmed, orthotopic cardiac transplantation and single left lung transplantation were independently performed on different recipients following preservation for 4.3 h in the case of the heart and 7.5 h in the case of the lung. Thus, the function of the preserved organs was independently assessed using cardiac output and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) with constant central venous pressure (CVP) in heart transplantation, and arterial gas analysis and the relationship between inspiratory pressure and expiratory tidal volume in lung transplantation. These measurements were performed before harvesting and 1 h and 4 h after transplantation. After heart transplantation cardiac output showed no significant deterioration. No significant differences in gas analysis and the pressure-volume curve were seen after lung transplantation. In conclusion, the simultaneous flushing method using the UCLA Formula may offer reliable preservation for both heart and lung in preparation for transplantation.