Training in Rat Cardiac Transplant Surgical Procedure and Supportive Techniques

该方案（CCM 0404）是在大鼠心脏移植模型中研究急性细胞排斥反应、免疫耐受和同种异体心脏移植血管病变的整体方案的一部分。啮齿动物异位心脏移植模型是实体器官移植领域中较为成熟的模型。本协议的目的是对大鼠心脏移植手术过程中的人员进行培训。2009年，我们制作了整个移植过程的解说dvd视频，以补充“动手”训练，并可能减少完成任务所需的动物数量。预期的结果是在开始动物研究之前掌握技术技能，从而最大限度地减少由于研究程序造成的不必要的动物痛苦和损失。

This protocol (CCM 0404) is part of an overall program to study acute cellular rejection, immunotolerance and cardiac allograft vasculopathy in a rat cardiac transplant model. The rodent model of heterotopic cardiac transplantation is a well established model in the field of solid organ transplantation. The purpose of this protocol is to make provisions to train personnel in the rat cardiac transplant surgical procedure. In 2009 we produced a narrated DVD-video of the entire transplant procedure to supplement "hands-on" training and potentially reduce the number of animals needed to accomplish the task. The anticipated outcome is to master the technical skills prior to the initiation of an animal study, thereby minimizing unnecessary animal suffering and loss due to research procedures. In 2011-12 we worked on a manuscript with our Chinese collaborators describing the methodology of the rat cardiac transpland model. This has been published (Chen H, Mei Yun-qing, and Solomon, MA. Experiences of establishing an abdominal heart transplantation model in rats. National Medical Journal of China, 2012, Vol. 92, No. 24, page 1715-1718). The protocol also allows for the harvesting of organs after euthanizing the animal for the purposes of: histopathological review; training individuals in the sample processing techniques; and providing means for experienced laboratory personnel to develop improved sample processing techniques. There have been a total of 390 animals used and 3 investigators trained since the protocol was approved.