Vascular and interstitial effect of University of Wisconsin solution on canine lung

Belzer's University of Wisconsin cold storage solution (UWCSS) has proved useful in extending the shelf life of organs in extrathoracic transplantation and more recently has also been shown to be useful in heart transplantation. I investigated the effect of 4 degrees C UWCSS on the vascular and interstitial properties of the lung to see whether it affected the pulmonary microcirculation or caused pulmonary edema. Infusion of UWCSS was associated with a slight decrease in oxygen tension, but the final oxygen tension was no different from that previously demonstrated with Euro-Collins solution. Vascular conductance was not affected by UWCSS, but average vascular closure increased slightly, indicating that increased vascular tone occurs. This effect is similar to but less than that previously observed with Euro-Collins solution. Based on comparisons of wet to dry weight ratios, estimates of interstitial compliance, transvascular fluid flux, and microvascular filtration coefficient, it does not appear that UWCSS causes pulmonary edema. Further investigation into the usefulness of UWCSS in lung transplantation is therefore warranted.