PURPOSE:To evaluate the feasibility of an experimental model of donors after cardiac death in remote ischemic preconditioning studies.METHODS: Twelve Landrace pigs were used as organ donors. They underwent cardiac arrest by coronary en block suture and interruption of ventilatory support. Haemodynamic data regarding the donor surgical protocol were evaluated. Studies variables included mean heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure and oxygen saturation and the time to death.RESULTS: Haemodynamic parameter indicated that the circulatory failure occurred after nine minutes of en blockcoronary suture and respiratory support interruption. The circulatory collapse occurred evenly across all groups. The heart rate and central venous pressure were statistically different between groups (p=0.023 and p=0.04), respectively. The remote preconditioning resulted in delayed time of death.CONCLUSIONS: The model is feasible, and was easily reproduced. The ischemic remote preconditioning tends to a slight increase in circulatory failure time.

OBJETIVO: Descrever os aspectos técnicos de um novo modelo experimental que simula um doador de órgãos após a parada cardíaca. MÉTODOS: Suínos da raça Landrace foram operados e a parada cardíaca foi obtida por meio de infarto do miocárdio e interrupção do suporte ventilatório. RESULTADOS: Freqüência cardíaca, pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica, pressão venosa central, saturação de oxigênio e concentração parcial de CO2 são consistentes com falência hemodinâmica ao final de sete minutos. CONCLUSÕES: O procedimento foi facilmente executado e uma falência circulatória pode ser obtida ao final de sete minutos. Este modelo é adequado para estudos posteriores com respeito a preservação e tranplantes de órgãos abdominais.

PURPOSE: To describe technical aspects of a new experimental model that simulates a non heart beating organ donor. METHODS: Landrace pigs were operated on and cardiac arrest was obtained by means of myocardial infarction and interruption of ventilator support. RESULTS: Mean cardiac frequency, systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels, central venous pressure, oxygen saturation and concentration of expired CO2 dropout occurred at seven minutes after cardiac arrest. CONCLUSION: The procedure was easily reproduced and a homogeneous circulatory failure could de obtained by the end of seven minutes. The model is suitable for further studies regarding abdominal organ transplantation.