Cardiopulmonary Block Harvest from Rabbit: A Surgical Procedure to Retrieve Functional Heart-Lung Block from Rabbit Model

Connect the respiration pump to the tracheal cannula. Set the tidal volume at 10 milliliters per kilogram, and initiate the ventilation quickly after the tracheotomy and before the thorax is opened, to maintain positive pressure in the lungs for preventing lung collapse during the surgery.

To access the thoracic cavity, use a scalpel or scissors to open the thorax wall and perform a medial sternotomy up to the upper third of the thorax. Hold the thorax halves open with two retractors. Localize the superior and inferior vena cava and tag them with threads.

Before the exsanguination of the animal, identify the right ventricle, and inject 1000 UI/kg of heparin. Immediately after the injection, ligate the superior and inferior vena cava with the pre-looped thread.

Cut through the manubrium sterni to extend the medial sternotomy towards the tracheal cannula, releasing the trachea on both sides from connecting tissue. Now, resect the trachea above the tracheal cannula and gently pull up the cannula in a craniocaudal axis.

After exsanguination, for harvesting the cardiopulmonary block, use direct digital dissection or spring scissors to separate the connective tissue, and remove the lungs from the thorax. Next, dissect the vasculature and esophagus.