Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026
Porcine Normothermic Isolated Liver Perfusion
Published on: June 9, 2023
A model of isolated, autologously hemoperfused porcine slaughterhouse lungs
Peter C Kamusella1, Christian Wissgott, Christian Grosse-Siestrup
1Dept. of Radiology, Westkuestenkliniken Heide, Germany. paipman@web.de
Introduction:
Models of isolated and perfused lungs study pathophysiological phenomena of the airways, but are limited by restricted resemblance to the human situation, non-physiological perfusates or the need for the use of high numbers of laboratory animals. The present model was established to address these difficulties.
Objectives:
Aim of the current study was the establishment of an animal model that uses slaughterhouse animals and closely resembles physiological conditions found in humans.
Methods:
We used a model of hemoperfused isolated porcine slaughterhouse lungs using autologous blood, metabolically controlled via a dialysis system. Over a period of 135 minutes positive inspiratory pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vein oxygen partial pressure and lung weight were assessed.
Results:
Stable organ function was maintained over 135 minutes with an amount of 2,500-3,000 ml perfusate without fall in pulmonary arterial pressure. During the time the positive inspiratory pressure and lung weight increased, while pulmonary vein oxygen partial pressure decreased.
Conclusions:
The present model of isolated hemoperfused slaughterhouse lungs displays a useful new and economic approach to evaluate pulmonary function and toxicity of different substances on an organ level. As a major economic advantage in comparison to models using laboratory animals, the current model might be run using blood and organs obtained from slaughterhouse animals.
