Two-day preservation of the lungs by normothermic perfusion.

Lung function was studies during a 2-day preservation period. The lungs were removed along with the heart, liver, pancreas, duodenum, and both kidneys while they were still perfused by the heart and oxygenated by the lungs. In 12 experiments the organs survived an average of 49.

Autoperfused heart-lung preparation: one reason for unsuccessful lung preservation.

Normothermic autoperfused heart-lung preparation has the advantages of avoiding ischemic time and allowing continuous monitoring of organ function during preservation. When this technique is used, the lungs deteriorate quickly, but the reasons for this deterioration have not been investigated. This study was designed to explore the possible cause of rapid lung deterioration.