J Cardiothorac Surg
-
J Cardiothorac Surg · Dec 2007
Comparative StudyLength of pressure-controlled reperfusion is critical for reducing ischaemia-reperfusion injury in an isolated rabbit lung model.
Ischaemia-reperfusion injury is still a major problem after lung transplantation. Several reports describe the benefits of controlled graft reperfusion. In this study the role of length of the initial pressure-controlled reperfusion (PCR) was evaluated in a model of isolated, buffer-perfused rabbit lungs. ⋯ Uncontrolled reperfusion results in a severe lung injury with rapid oedema formation. PCR preserves pulmonary haemodynamics and gas exchange after ischaemia and might allows for recovery of the impaired endothelial function. 30 minutes of PCR provide superior results compared to 5 or 15 minutes of PCR.