The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 21, 341-347, Copyright © 1976 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Cinemicroscopy of hyperacute pulmonary rejection
K Kusajima, SD Wax, WR Webb and JC Aust
Rejection processes were studied in xenografts and allotransplants of cat
or dog lungs to dogs. Cinemicroscopy of the microcirculation in untreated
animals showed almost immediate sludging, cellular aggregation, reduced
vascular caliber, diminished blood flow, and rapid development of
perivascular edema. The principal mechanisms of the extremely rapid
xenograft rejection include capillary and arteriolar obstruction due to
cellular aggregation. Pretreatment with heparin was virtually valueless,
while methylprednisolone offered temporary protection.