Vascular properties of canine lungs perfused with Eurocollins solution and prostacyclin

Although Eurocollins solution (ECS) is commonly used for lung preservation, its vascular effects and their time course and response to pharmacological interventions are not well understood. The effect of 4 degrees C ECS on the pulmonary circulation was assessed in excised canine left lower lobes. The roles of static oxygen inflation and prostacyclin infusion during ECS perfusion were also examined. The lobes were divided into five groups: time control (A), ECS with oxygen (B), ECS without oxygen (C), ECS with glycine buffer (D), and ECS with prostacyclin (E); group D was the control for E. Eurocollins solution had no effect on gas exchange but had a marked effect on the pulmonary circulation. Vascular conductance decreased from 22.6 to 18.9 mL/min/cm H2O and from 21.3 to 14.1 mL/min/cm H2O with average vascular closure increasing by 1.2 and 2.1 cm H2O in groups B and C, respectively. The decreased vascular conductance and increased vascular closure was associated with a reduction in vascular compliance from 1.63 to 1.25 mL/cm H2O. When prostacyclin was added to ECS, the reduction in vascular closure was much less and was associated with a decrease in vascular closure and no loss of vascular compliance. Eurocollins solution increases pressure cost for perfusion by causing both vascular obstruction and increased tone, especially when oxygen is not provided. This is significantly overcome by addition of prostacyclin infusion during ECS perfusion.