Lungs from domestic pigs underwent normothermic EVLP. At the end of controlled reperfusion, lungs were ventilated and perfused for 60 minutes, then randomized to salbutamol (¦Â-Agonist) infusion or placebo (Control) for 180 minutes. Functional parameters were assessed.
In the ¦Â-Agonist group, glucose concentration decreased over time more than corresponding Control values (analysis of variance [ANOVA], p = 0.05). Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was 16 ¡À 1 mm Hg in the ¦Â-Agonist group vs 21 ¡À 1 mm Hg in the Controls (ANOVA p < 0.05). Baseline mPAP was correlated with the drop of mPAP after the ¦Â-agonist infusion (R2 = 0.856, p < 0.05). Dynamic compliance dropped from 51 ¡À 10 to 31 ¡À 6 ml/cm H2O in the ¦Â-Agonist group and from 60 ¡À 4 to 21 ¡À 3 ml/cm H2O in the Control group (ANOVA, p < 0.05 ¦Â-agonist vs Control). The ¦¤ partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen was 418 ¡À 15 and 393 ¡À 12 mm Hg in the ¦Â-Agonist and Control groups, respectively (t-test p = 0.106).
Glucose concentration in the perfusate was affected by salbutamol. Salbutamol was associated with lower pulmonary pressures and better lung mechanics. These data suggest a possible role for salbutamol as a pharmacologic adjunct during EVLP before transplantation.