Pulmonary venous anastomosis in lung transplantation without donor left atrium. Experimental and clinical results

Single lung transplantation now is a therapeutic option for some patients with end-stage lung disease. Cyclosporine immunosuppression and refinements in bronchial anastomosis have been responsible for recent successes. Since 1953, the usual pulmonary venous anastomosis, both in experimental animals and in humans, has been an atrium-to-atrium connection. This technique may limit the availability of usable donor lungs, since the donor heart, along with the atrium, is usually harvested for another recipient. Although techniques can be developed to allow both transplant teams to harvest atrial tissue, this study was undertaken to determine if, in fact, anastomosis with donor left atrium is necessary. Twenty-four dogs were anesthetized and a left thoracotomy performed. After heparinization (3 mg/kg), the pulmonary artery and left atrium were occluded. One of four different pulmonary venous anastomoses was performed at 3.5x magnification: superior pulmonary vein end to end (group I), inferior pulmonary vein end to end (group II), superior pulmonary vein implantation into left atrium (group III), and left atrium-to-left atrium anastomosis as control (group IV). Everting mattress sutures of 7-0 polypropylene were used in groups I, II, and III and 6-0 in group IV. Average crossclamp time for group I, group II, and group IV was 20 minutes. The average crossclamp time for group III was 10 minutes. All anastomoses were patent at the time of 1-week reevaluation. Gross and microscopic examination demonstrated establishment of an intimal lining; organized nonocclusive thrombus was present in only one anastomosis. We conclude that atrium-to-atrium anastomosis is not necessary for a successful single lung transplantation, and that transplantation of a single lobe is feasible. The best alternative is implantation of the pulmonary vein into the left atrium, which will easily allow use of the heart and both lungs from a single donor to different recipients. We have used this anastomosis in one patient without difficulty.