Heart and liver transplantation. Consistent survival after prolonged donor heart preservation.

Twelve dogs underwent orthotopic cardiac transplantation after donor heart preservation for 24 hr in a hypothermic hypertonic intracellular solution. Donors were divided into two groups: continuous oxygenated perfusion and nonperfusion. After 24 hr, transplantation was performed. All six perfused and four nonperfused donors hearts survived a 24-hr postoperative period. Survivors had normal cardiac output, right and left atrial pressures, and aortic pressures. After transplantation, all perfused hearts demonstrated mild left ventricular damage while nonperfused hearts had severe damage. Hypothermic hypertonic intracellular perfusion may allow improved protection for short-term myocardial preservation and survival after extended myocardial preservation.