Cardiopulmonary function studies in long-term survivors of one-stage bilateral lung reimplantation.

Cardiopulmonary functions of 6 dogs, which had survived more than 4 years after one-stage bilateral lung reimplantation, were compared to those of 2 normal dogs. These long-term survivors maintained good health, once they had tolerated the procedure. With the exception of 1 animal, the ventilation of these dogs was within normal limits. There was no significant abnormality in the lung compliance. Five dogs had a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of less than 25 mm. Hg and a pulmonary vascular resistance of less than 15 mm. Hg/ml./sec./Kg.; the remaining dog had values of 33 mm. Hg and 28.42 mm. Hg/ml./sec./Kg., respectively. The per cent right-to-left shunt was higher (7.9 to 33.8) than normal. The Hering-Breuer reflex was recovered in 5 of 6 dogs. Histologic studies of these reimplants showed essentially normal morphology. These results indicate that long-term function is possible after one-stage bilateral lung transplantation in the dog.