ABSTRACT
Heterotopic heart transplantation is a useful model through which to follow the rejection of implanted hearts, since the heart is a highly vascularized organ, and when implanted heterotopically is not life supporting. The surgical technique described is a modification of that of Heron. The donor animal is anesthetized with ether. The chest is shaved and opened. The donor animal is heparinized by intravenous injection of 200 units of heparin. The donor heart is removed from the iced saline bath and positioned. Ligatures around both sides of the pulmonary artery are used to apply traction. Heterotopic heart transplantation is a well-established technique of high reliability. The method of anastomosing vessels by means of cuffs has given rise to no short-term or longterm complications. A midline abdominal incision is performed under ether anesthesia. The recipient’s left kidney is removed. The anastomosis is completed with two circumferential ligatures, 6-0 silk sutures.
