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Novel Portable Hypothermic Cardiac Preservation Device Enhances Cardiac Viability and Function of the Isolated Porcine Hearts

K. Andrijauskaite, R. J. Veraza, R. P. Lopez, E. C. Cisneros, I. J. Jessop, M. D. Watt, L. Bunegin

Vascular Perfusion Solutions, Inc, San Antonio, TX

Meeting: 2022 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: 361

Keywords: Donation, Heart preservation, Machine preservation, Preservation

Topic: Basic Science » Basic Science » 15 - Machine Perfusion and Organ Rehabililtation - Basic

Session Information

Session Name: Machine Perfusion and Organ Rehabililtation - Basic

Session Type: Rapid Fire Oral Abstract

Date: Monday, June 6, 2022

Session Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm

 Presentation Time: 5:40pm-5:50pm

Location: Hynes Ballroom A

*Purpose: Cardiac heart transplantation is the gold standard for treating end-stage heart failure; however, the list of patients waiting for heart transplants continues to increase. We have developed a portable hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion device, the VP.S ENCORETM, to double the allowable preservation time. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a VP.S. ENCORETM to preserve porcine hearts for extended time points and compare their cardiac viability and function to the hearts preserved using the standard of care (SCS).

*Methods: Isolated porcine hearts (N=22) were recovered under anesthesia and by inducing cardiac arrest through cardioplegia. Following cannulation, the experimental hearts were placed in the VP.S ENCORE™ and perfused at 4-8°C for either 4 hours (n=4), 8 hours (n=9) or were kept on ice for 4 hours ( n = 9). All hearts were assessed for edema. Hourly flow, pressure, temperature, and blood gas measurements were recorded. Following either preservation method, the hearts were placed in a Langendorff model for reperfusion and evaluated for cardiac function. Biopsy samples were taken before and at the end of each preservation method for histological and gene expression analyses.

*Results: Control hearts weight gain (%) was 2.17 ± 5.2, while perfused at 4 hours was -4.01 ± 4.7, and at 8 hours was -0.30 ± 6.6. Venous and arterial lactate concentrations were less than 2.5 mmol/L across all experiments. Perfused hearts at 4 hours and 8 hours had significantly increased contractility (p<0.05) than SCS as demonstrated by +dP/dT(mmHg) and peak developed left ventricular pressure (p<0.05). Gene expression analysis showed a significant reduction (p<0.005) of inflammation (IL-6, IL-8, TNFα) and cell death markers (p53,cTnI) in perfused hearts when compared to control hearts. Furthermore, a histological assessment confirmed greater myocardium damage in SCS hearts.

*Conclusions: Our results show that using the VP.S ENCORE™ cardiac preservation device enhances the viability and cardiac function of perfused porcine hearts thereby doubling the standard of care of 4 hours in static cold storage as assessed by perfusion parameters, gene expression assays, histopathology, and working heart model. Our findings imply that the VP.S ENCORE™ device may provide a new paradigm in the organ preservation field.

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To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Andrijauskaite K, Veraza RJ, Lopez RP, Cisneros EC, Jessop IJ, Watt MD, Bunegin L. Novel Portable Hypothermic Cardiac Preservation Device Enhances Cardiac Viability and Function of the Isolated Porcine Hearts [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2022; 22 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/novel-portable-hypothermic-cardiac-preservation-device-enhances-cardiac-viability-and-function-of-the-isolated-porcine-hearts/. Accessed May 30, 2025.

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