Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
Using an Isolated Working Rat Heart Model to Test Donor Heart Preservation Strategies
Published on: October 4, 2024
Subzero 24-hr nonfreezing rat heart preservation: a novel preservation method in a variable magnetic field
Hiroki Kato1, Shigeyuki Tomita, Shoujiro Yamaguchi
1Department of General and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan. hirokikato@e-mail.jp
Background:
A new supercooling system using a variable magnetic field has been recently developed. Subzero nonfreezing preservation has been believed to be a beneficial method because of the lower metabolic rate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic and metabolic effects of rat heart preservation in a variable magnetic field without cryoprotectants.
Methods:
Rat hearts were perfused ex vivo for 120 min after 24-hr preservation in two groups (n=6 each): (1) conventional storage group, in which the hearts were stored at 4°C, and (2) the subzero group, in which the hearts were preserved at -3°C in a variable magnetic field.
Results:
Reperfusion cardiac performance after preservation was significantly preserved in the subzero group compared with the conventional group with respect to heart rate, coronary flow, the peak positive dP/dt, and the peak negative dP/dt (P<0.05). Edema after reperfusion was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the adenosine triphosphate level was higher in the subzero group (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
The rat hearts preserved in a variable magnetic field at -3°C showed better hemodynamic and metabolic performance than those preserved using conventional storage at 4°C.
