Microsurgery in a rat lung transplant model: analysis of benefit

With the use of microsurgery, we have developed a method of measuring hemodynamic parameters in a rat not possible with previous technology. Three groups of rats were studied: a chemically induced pulmonary hypertensive group (PH); a chemically induced pulmonary hypertensive group treated with single lung transplantation (LT); and an untreated, control group (C). Cardiac output, heart rate, and pulmonary vascular resistance were then calculated in each group from data obtained by 1 mm high fidelity micromanometers and an ultrasonic flow probe. The results show that the data collected from the rodent model are reproducible within each group, and data quality is comparable to large animal models. With this new method, data can be collected in a small animal model at a fraction of the time and cost of large animal studies. Additionally, the complications of graft rejection in large animal studies are eliminated in an isogenic rodent model.