Transplantation of the Cadaver Heart Harvested One Hour after Hypoxic Cardiac Arrest Using the Core-Cooling Technique in Dogs

A shortage of donor organs in clinical transplantation prompted us to study whether resuscitated dead hearts could be utilized for successful orthotopic heart transplantation. After 60 min of hypoxic cardiac arrest, one group of canine hearts was resuscitated (Res group, n = 6). The other group was harvested directly (Non-Res group, n = 6). In the Res group, cardiopulmonary bypass was utilized for resuscitation at 37°C and the animals were then core-cooled to 15°C. The hearts then were preserved in University of Wisconsin solution and orthotopically transplanted. Stable prostacyclin analogue (OP25O7) and verapamil, a calcium antagonist, were added to the cardioplegia, and substrate-enriched warm blood cardioplegia and a hydroxy radical scavenger (EPC) were administered at the time of reperfusion of the transplanted heart. All animals in each group were successfully weaned from cardioputmonary bypass with dopamine (5 μg/kg/min). Cardiac function without dopamine was better preserved in the Res group than the Non-Res group (Emax: 130.6 ± 41.5% vs. 47.1 ± 24.7 %; mean ± SD, as percent of post-brain death values, P < 0.01 by unpaired t-test). Cadaver hearts 60 min after anoxic arrest can be successfully re-animated and orthotopically engrafted. In addition, the core-cooling technique is useful. We believe this study serves as the key step in the clinical application of dead hearts to successful cardiac transplantation.