Intra-abdominal Storage of the Transplanted Canine Heart

Orthotopic transplantation of the canine heart has a high operative mortality and low incidence of long-term survival.¹ Heterotopic transplantation of the canine heart into such positions as the neck, groin, or the heart plus lungs into the abdomen has been generally unsuccessful.^2-5 Transplantation of rat heart into the abdomen has been described and the results are more encouraging.^6-9 The purpose of this study was to evaluate intra-abdominal storage of the canine heart.

Materials and Methods  Eighty-six mongrel dogs were used, 43 being selected as recipients with 43 dogs of approximately the same weight as donors. The donor heart is taken from the animal under general anesthesia through a right thoracotomy through the fifth interspace. The animal is heparinized, receiving intravenous heparin, 3 mg/kg body weight, prior to excision of the heart. The right pulmonary veins and pulmonary artery were ligated and transected close to the heart. The