[Asynchronus rejection of intrathoracic heart-lung transplantation rats]

We have reported intrathoracic heart-lung transplantation in rats could be made easily by using Internal Shunt Method as described elsewhere. In this study, we examined the rejection of intrathoracic heart-lung allografts in this model to determine whether acute pulmonary rejection precedes cardiac rejection following heart-lung transplantation or not. Ten heart-lung allografts (no immunosuppressive agent was given) and four isografts were examined pathologically. There was no pathologic change except perivascular or peribronchiolar edema in isografts, which was attributed to operative damage. Acute pulmonary rejection apparent pathologically 3 days after transplantation and lung allografts lost its function 6 days after transplantation. Otherwise, acute cardiac rejection first became apparent pathologically 5 days after transplantation. And their pulsation appeared well 6 days after it. It is concluded that pulmonary rejection precedes cardiac rejection following heart-lung transplantation.