Abstract
The effect of electrolyte concentrations in flush solution was studied in an ex vivo perfusing rabbit model (n=16). Flush solutions (n= 11) were composed only of NaCl and KCl, and sobium and potassium concentrations were varied so as always to total 150 mEq/L. After pulmonary flushing, grafts were preserved for 18 hours at 8°C and examind for 60 minutes with a closed circuit sustem.
From flushing we found, using computed regression curves, that the lower the potassium concentration, the greater the volume of flush solution required and the lower the pulmonary pressure.
In the functional assessment, we found, again from computed regression curves, that the lower the potassium concentration, the better the function in terms of blood gas data and perfusion pressure.
We conclude that the optimum composition of flush solutions should contain low posassium and high sodium concentrations.
