Experimental Model of Isolated Lung Perfusion in Rats: First Brazilian Experience Using the IL-2 Isolated Perfused Rat or Guinea Pig Lung System

Abstract Introduction Lung transplantation has become the mainstay therapy for patients with end-stage lung disease refractory to medical management. However, the number of patients listed for lung transplantation largely exceeds available donors. The study of lung preservation requires accurate, cost-effective small animal models. We have described a model of ex vivo rat lung perfusion using a commercially available system. Methods Male Wistar rats weighing 250 g–300 g were anesthetized with intraperitoneal sodium thiopental (50 mg/kg body weight). The surgical technique included heart-lung block extraction, assembly, and preparation for perfusion and data collection. We used an IL-2 Isolated Perfused Rat or Guinea Pig Lung System (Harvard Apparatus, Holliston, Mass, United States; Hugo Sachs Elektronik, Alemanha). Results Preliminary results included hemodynamic and pulmonary mechanics data gathered in the experiments. Conclusion The isolated rat lung perfusion system is a reliable method to assess lung preservation.