Mouse Heterotopic Cervical Heart Transplant Model

Although abdominal heart transplantation was earlier developed, transplantation in cervical part was subsequently created for its apparent advantages, including convenient observation of heart beating and less microsurgical challenges by using cuff techniques (Chen Transplantation 52(6):1099–1101, 1991). Indeed, cervical heart transplant models can be accomplished by two different techniques: cuff and suture (Gong et al. Exp Clin Transplant 10(2):158–162, 2012). To shorten surgical time and reduce the surgical difficulties, the external jugular vein and the common carotid artery of recipients are normally transected and cuffed for subsequent reconstruction of blood flow, however, which disrupts the blood supply to the central nervous system. The hemodynamical alteration may create high blood pressure in the transplanted graft. On the other hand, the cuff technique has a potential risk of thrombosis, affecting the achievement of long-term graft survival (Heron Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand A79(4):366–72, 1971).