Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
Isolated Lung Perfusion System in the Rabbit Model
Published on: July 15, 2021
Experimental model of isolated lung perfusion in rats: first Brazilian experience using the IL-2 isolated perfused
P M Pêgo-Fernandes1, E Werebe, P F G Cardoso
1Department of Cardio-Pulmonology, Heart Institute (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. paulopego@incor.usp.br
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.
