Total in vivo functional adequacy of canine lung autografts after 24-hr preservation

In order to evaluate the effects of lung preservation without the limiting factors of rejection and immunosuppressive drug toxicity, a model permitting the functional evaluation of preserved autografts would have to be developed. Since human lung transplants may have to provide total pulmonary function immediately after transplantation, an appropriate experimental model should impose a similar stress upon the preserved autograft. We report here the development of such a model, in which total immediate and longterm functional adequacy was provided by preserved canine lung autografts.