Studies of the ideal [H+] for perfusional preservation

The neutral point of water, being a function of its dissociation constant, is temperature dependent. This is also true of protein-buffered solutions such as perfusates. In organ preservation these facts have been long ignored and, as a result, perfusions have been carried out in a relatively acidotic environment. These studies evaluated the effects of correcting the pH partially or completely for the level of hypothermia involved in perfusional preservation. The findings both in rabbits and dogs were that a pH of 7.4 (measured at 7 C) is dangerously close to the pH below which there is rapid deterioration of function. On the other hand, perfusate pHs up to 7.75 in dogs and 8.25 in rabbits were tolerated at no detriment. As a result, the recommendation is made to carry out hypothermic organ perfusion at a pH well above 7.4; 7.60 or 7.65 seems reasonable.