A Modified Mouse Abdominal Heterotopic Heart Transplantation Model by Anastomosis Technique

Objective To establish a modified mouse abdominal heterotopic heart transplantation model in order to increase the graft survival rate and reduce operative complications. Methods The heart was transplanted into the abdomen by anastomosing the donor ascending aorta and pulmonary artery to the recipient abdominal aorta and infrahepatic vena cava respectively. Hilar tissue was not alone ligated,meanwhile recipient lumbar vein was not ligated. Recipient abdominal aorta and infrahepatic vena cava were not isolated,but were liberated and obstructed simultaneously. Results Two hundred and twenty-nine formal transplantations were performed with the successful rate of 97.82% (224/229). The syngeneic graft survival time was more than 6 months. Complications:Aorta thrombus was found in 2 mice (0.87%),inferior vena cava thrombus in 1 mouse (0.44%),heart torsion in 4 mice (1.75%),hemorrhage in 4 mice (1.75%),crural paralysis in 2 mice (0.87%),intestinal obstruction in 1 mouse (0.44%),and no anesthetic accident happened. Conclusions The meliorated mouse abdominal heterotopic heart transplantation model is simple and reliable,which can reduce the operation time. Thus,the meliorated method provides a useful technique for immunologic transplantation research.