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Prostaglandin E1 or prostacyclin in Euro-Collins solution fails to improve lung preservation
S Kukkonen1, L J Heikkilä, K Verkkala
1Department of Anesthesiology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Background:
In search of the ideal composition of the flush solution for pulmonary preservation, we studied the effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and prostacyclin as an additive to Euro-Collins solution (ECS) on pulmonary hemodynamics and gas exchange in a porcine single lung transplantation model using extracorporeal circulation and right heart bypass.
Methods:
Twenty-two pigs served as donors. The animals were randomized to receive either modified ECS alone (control group, n = 8), ECS with 100 micrograms/L of PGE1 (PGE1 group, n = 6), or ECS with 200 micrograms/L of prostacyclin (prostacyclin group, n = 8). Left lung transplantation was performed in 22 recipients after approximately 4 hours of cold ischemia.
Results:
Carbon dioxide elimination was significantly depressed in the two prostaglandin groups, and the use of PGE1 was associated with a significant decrease in arterial oxygen tension compared with the control group. Both drugs were inefficient in alleviating the increase in pulmonary vascular resistance after transplantation.
Conclusion:
The use of prostaglandins as constituents of the flush solution was not followed by any improvement of early graft function after cold ischemia.