[Experimental lung transplantation: functional studies of the graft compared with a normal and a pathological...

After a short description of the technique of experimental lung homotransplantation, the function of the graft is investigated both from the haemodynamic and respiratory point of view. Perfusion of the transplant was studied in acute and chronic experiments. The haemodynamic rate can be normal even when there are signs of rejection. In the first week there was always a decrease in the perfusion ratio. Lung function tests revealed adequate functional capacity of the graft, capable of sustaining life of the animal, as long as rejection is kept under control. Normal values as obtained with a healthy organ were not achieved, however. Studies in dogs with pathological changes in the contralateral lung showed that the graft is able to tolerate the total cardiac output and to provide adequate respiratory function. In animals with an emphysematous contralateral lung, no ventilation-perfusion imbalance resulted in the homotransplanted organ even when unilateral papain instillation had induced severe emphysematous changes in lung structure of the contralateral organ.