A new preservation solution for lung transplantation: evaluation in a porcine transplantation model

Lung preservation injury is still a major problem in lung transplantation. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of a new preservation solution (Custodiol-N) for lung preservation.

Using an in vivo pig model, 7 lungs each were preserved for 24 hours after perfusion with: low-potassium dextran (LPD) solution as control (Group I); base solution of Custodiol-N without iron chelators (Group II); Custodiol-N (Group III); or Custodiol-N supplemented with dextran 40 (Group IV). Four animals received a sham operation. After left lung transplantation and contralateral lung exclusion, hemodynamics and blood gases were monitored for 6 hours; tissue samples were taken at the end of the experiments.

All animals survived the transplantation procedure. Base solution- and Custodiol-N-preserved lungs (Groups II and III) showed graft function similar to that of LPD-preserved lungs (Group I), showing a trend toward improved values. Custodiol-N with dextran (Group IV) led to a significant reduction of mean pulmonary arterial pressure (20 ± 2 vs 28 ± 3 mm Hg, p < 0.01) and pulmonary vascular resistance (410 ± 51 vs 588 ± 83 dyne/s/cm(5), p < 0.01), and oxygenation ratio was significantly higher (536 ± 52 vs 313 ± 107 mm Hg at 6 hours, p < 0.01) and PCO(2) values were significantly lower (51 ± 9 vs 77 ± 5 mm Hg at 6 hours, p < 0.01) at 6 hours compared with LPD (Group I). Custodiol-N (Groups II to IV) showed a trend toward a lower wet/dry ratio and reduced oxidative stress; in the presence of dextran (Group IV), the difference was again statistically significant, when compared with LPD (Group I).

Custodiol-N solution is a new alternative preservation solution for lung transplantation that offers significantly superior protection compared with LPD when dextran 40 is added.