Some aspects of experimental heart transplantation

In 144 experiments carried out on dogs, the possibility was proved to use for the recipient's protection during transplantation either deep immersion hypothermia or total artificial circulation without it being filled with the donor's blood. In order to maintain cardiac activity after clinical death of a non-heparinized organism for the purpose of later heart transplantation the authors propose to use the direct mechanical cardiac massage (DMCM) which makes possible not only to restore adequate pulsating blood flow in the dead body but also to assess after restoration of the heart's pump function the suitability of using it for transplantation. Functional adaptation of a transplanted heart proceeds in 3 stages: pronounced heart failure (5-15 min), functional heart failure (4-6 hours), stabilization of cardiac activity (2-3 days). Implantation of a second heart in experimental left ventricular failure of the recipient helped to achieve an effective and prolonged reduction of excessive functional overload of the affected heart.