Heart transplantation in the rat: experience with a modified technique of heterotopic grafting

Heart transplantation in the rat is a frequently used model to study immunological problems of primary, vascularized allografts. A modified technique of heterotopic grafting is described in detail. The donor heart is transplanted heterotopically into the recipient with the brachiocephalic artery anastomosed to the renal artery with 10 single sutures, and the pulmonary artery to the renal vein with 2 continuous, semicircular sutures which were left untied. Both anastomoses were done end-to-end with 10-0 Ethilon. The experience with 187 rat heart transplants are reported. The time needed for one transplantation ranged from 25 to 35 min (mean 30 min). Complications like bleeding, thrombosis and primary no-function did occur in 12 out of 187 transplants (6.4%). In conclusion, this modified technique of heterotopic heart transplantation in the rat is less time consuming and highly successful.