Left Lung Orthotopic Transplantation in a Juvenile Porcine Model for ESLP

Summary

This protocol describes a juvenile porcine model of orthotopic left lung allotransplantation designed for use with ESLP research. Focus is made on anesthetic and surgical techniques, as well as critical steps and troubleshooting.

Abstract

Lung transplantation is the gold-standard treatment for end-stage lung disease, with over 4,600 lung transplantations performed worldwide annually. However, lung transplantation is limited by a shortage of available donor organs. As such, there is high waitlist mortality. Ex situ lung perfusion (ESLP) has increased donor lung utilization rates in some centers by 15%-20%. ESLP has been applied as a method to assess and recondition marginal donor lungs and has demonstrated acceptable short- and long-term outcomes following transplantation of extended criteria donor (ECD) lungs. Large animal (in vivo) transplantation models are required to validate ongoing in vitro research findings. Anatomic and physiologic differences between humans and pigs pose significant technical and anesthetic challenges. An easily reproducible transplant model would permit the in vivo validation of current ESLP strategies and the preclinical evaluation of various interventions designed to improve donor lung function. This protocol describes a porcine model of orthotopic left lung allotransplantation. This includes anesthetic and surgical techniques, a customized surgical checklist, troubleshooting, modifications, and the benefits and limitations of the approach.

Introduction

Lung transplantation is the preeminent long-term treatment for end-stage lung disease. Over 4,600 lung transplantations are performed worldwide annually¹. However, lung transplantation currently has significant limitations. For one, the necessity for organs continues to eclipse available donors. Despite rates of lung transplantation increasing every year since 2012 due to the combined effects of more candidates being listed for transplant, an increase in the number of donors, and improved use of recovered organs, the transplant waitlist mortality has not decreased significantly². Organ quality concerns represent another ....

Protocol

All the procedures were performed in compliance with the guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care and the guide for the care and use of laboratory animals. The protocols were approved by the institutional animal care committee of the University of Alberta. This protocol has been applied in female juvenile Yorkshire pigs between 35-50 kg. Pigs are pathogen-free, food-grade specimens. They are purchased from the Swine Research and Technology Centre in Edmonton, AB, Canada (https://srtc.ualberta.ca). All individual.......

Discussion

Several critical surgical steps are involved in this protocol, and troubleshooting is needed to ensure successful transplantation and lung assessment. Juvenile porcine lungs are incredibly delicate compared to adult human lungs, so the operating surgeon must be cautious when handling porcine lungs. This is especially true after a 12 h run of ESLP as the organ will have taken on fluid volume and be susceptible to injury from excessive manipulation. Any undue pressure will cause atelectasis or trauma to the experimental lu.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
ABL 800 FLEX Blood Gas Analyzer	Radiometer	989-963
Adult-Pediatric Electrostatic Filter HME - Small	Covidien	352/5877
Allison Lung Retractor	Pilling	341679
Arterial Filter	SORIN GROUP	01706/03
Backhaus Towel Clamp	Pilling	454300
Bovine Serum Albumin	MP biomedicals	218057791
Biomedicus Pump	Maquet	BPX-80
Bronchoscope
Cable Ties – White 12”	HUASU International	HS4830001
Calcium Chloride	Fisher Scientific	C69-500G
Cooley Sternal Retractor	Pilling	341162
CUSHING Gutschdressing Forceps	Pilling	466200
Debakey-Metzenbaum Dissecting	Pilling	342202
Scissors	Pilling	342202
DeBakey Peripheral Vascular Clamp	Pilling	353535
Debakey Straight Vascular Tissue Forceps	Pilling	351808
D-glucose	Sigma-Aldrich	G5767-500G
Drop sucker
Endotracheal Tube 9.0mm CUFD	Mallinckrodt	9590E
Flow Transducer	BIO-PROBE	TX 40
Infusion Pump	Baxter	AS50
Inspire 7 M Hollow Fiber Membrane Oxygenator	SORIN GROUP	K190690
Intercept Tubing Connector 3/8" x 1/2"	Medtronic	6013
Intercept Tubing 1/4" x 1/16" x 8'	Medtronic	3108
Intercept Tubing 3/8" x 3/32" x 6'	Medtronic	3506
Laryngoscope	N/A	N/A	Custom-made with 10-inch blade
Metzenbaum Dissecting Scissors	Pilling	460420
Medical Carbon Dioxide Tank	Praxair	5823115
Medical Oxygen Tank	Praxair	2014408
Medical Nitrogen Tank	Praxair	NI M-K
Mosquito Clamp	Pilling	181816
Harken Auricle Clamp
Organ Chamber	Tevosol
PlasmaLyte A	Baxter	TB2544
Poole Suction Tube	Pilling	162212
Potassium Phosphate	Fischer Scientific	P285-500G
PERFADEX Plus	XVIVO	19811
Satinsky Clamp	Pilling	354002
Scale	TANITA	KD4063611
Silicon Support Membrane	Tevosol
Sodium Bicarbonate	Sigma-Aldrich	792519-1KG
Sodium Chloride 0.9%	Baxter	JB1324
Sorin XTRA Cell Saver	SORIN GROUP	75221
Sternal Saw	Stryker	6207
Surgical Electrocautery Device	Kls Martin	ME411
TruWave Pressure Transducer	Edwards	VSYPX272
Two-Lumen Central Venous Catheter 7fr X2	Arrowg+ard	CS-12702-E
Vorse Tubing Clamp	Pilling	351377
Willauer-Deaver Retractor	Pilling	341720
Yankauer Suction Tube	Pilling	162300
0 ETHIBOND Green 1X36" Endo Loop 0	ETHICON	D8573
0 PDS II CP-1 2x27”	ETHICON	Z467H
1 VICRYL MO-4 1x18”	ETHICON	J702D
2-0 SILK Black 12" x 18" Strands	ETHICON	SA77G
4-0 PROLENE Blue TF 1x24”	ETHICON	8204H
6-0 PROLENE Blue BV 2x30”	ETHICON	M8776
21-Gauge Needle