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European Heart Journal 1994 15(6):851-857;
Copyright © 1994 by the European Society of Cardiology.
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© 1994 The European Society of Cardiology

Isolated in-vitro perfusion of pig hearts obtained from the abattoir: an alternative to animal experiments?

G. GÖRGE, R. ERBEL, A. DOBBERTIN*, M. HÄNGGI, U. HAKE* and J. Meyer{dagger}

Department of Cardiology, Essen University Essen, Germany
*II Medical Clinic,Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
{dagger}Department of Heart, Chest, and Vessel Surgery, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany

Received 20 October 1993; revised 26 January 1994; .

Correspondence: Günter Görge, MD, Department of Cardiology, Essen University, Hufelandstrasse 55, D-45122 Essen, Germany.

Abstract

Isolated pig hearts (German farm pigs) were characterized after global in-vivo ischaemia as a potential alternative to in-vivo animal studies. Hearts were harvested from adult farm swine at the abattoir 10.3 ±2.1 min after incision of the carotid artery. They were immediately perfused and thereafter stored in ice-cold cardioplegic (St Thomas's) solution. After 38 ±3 min, retrograde perfusion was started with oxygenated pig blood (37°C; 5000 U Heparin.1–1; pH 7.38 ± 0.1; 11 mmol glucose. l–1) at a flow rate of 85 ml. min–1 100 g–1 wet weight (gww–1) for 30 min (n=10). Additionally, shortly after obtaining the hearts, ATP and CP content were measured by enzymatic tests in 10 pigs at the beginning and after 15 and 30 min of reperfusion.

Heart rate was 90 ± 14 min–1 with little variation during 30 min. Perfusion pressure increased from 89 ± 17 mmHg to 100 ± 17 mmHg (NS). Wet weight rose from 488 ± 33 to 548 ±45 g (P<0.002). CK increased from 2180 ± 558 to 5900 ±1018 U.1–1 (P<0.001). Calcium in the perfusate decreased from 2.45 ±0.15 to 2.2 ±0.25 mmol. 1–1 and magnesium increased from 0.85 ± 0.2 to 1.79 ± 0.35 mmol. l–1 (both P<0.001). The transmural ATP and CP content was 2.8 ± 0.48 and 5.08 ± 0.88 µmol. gww–1. ATP fell moderately during reperfusion to 2.6 ± 0.35 µmol (NS) and CP rose to 6.0 ±1.2 µmol (P<0.04). O2 consumption started at 2.0 ± 0.9 µmol. min–1. gww–1 and measured 0.90 ± 0.6 µmol after 30 min (P<0.001). Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) fell from 88 ±6 mmHg after 5 min to 68 ±4 mmHg within 30 min (P<0.001).

The isolated perfusion of pig hearts after in-vivo ischaemia is no overall substitute for in-vivo animal experimentation, but may be useful for morphological studies with ultrasound, or for investigating new diagnostic or therapeutic devices.

Key Words: Isolated pig hearts • animal studies • global ischaemia • stunned myocardium • reperfusion


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