Abstract: | Objective To determine the effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on the pulmonary blood flow by using re trograde flush (RF) in lung preservation. Methods Twelve canine donor lungs were treated with RF with UW solution. In group A (n=6), 250μg of PGE1 was infused into the pulmonary artery (PA) before RF and another 250μg was mixed with UW solution. No PGE1 was used in group B (n=6). After storage in the same solution at 4℃ for 22~25h, the left lung was transplanted to a recipient followed by 120min reperfusion. Pulmonary blood flow was determined by a microsphere technique. Colored microspheres were infused into the right atrium at the following time: before RF and donor lungs procurement (red), prior to resecting the recipient left lung (red, served as baseline), and 120min after donor lung implantation (yellow). Micro sphere distribution was expressed by optical density per gram lung tissue (OD/g). Results The red microsphere distribution after transplantation in group A was reduced as compared with baseline (P<0.05). And more blood flew to the right lung (P <0.05 ). The yellow microsphere distribution was also significantly reduced in group A when compared with that of group B (P <0.01 ). The hemodynamic data and blood gases for the two groups were not significantly different. Conclusion After single left lung transplantation, more blood flows to the right side. Pretreatment with PGE1 further reduces the flow distribution in the left side. |