A Standardized Technique for Drainage and Collection of Cardiac Lymph

A standardized method for cannulation of cardiac lymphatics and drainage of cardiac lymph in dogs is presented. The technique comprises visualization of lymph vessels by myocardial injection of T 1824 dye and cannulation of an afferent lymphatic to the cardiac lymph node. A stable drainage is ensured by traction and countertraction on sutures adjacent to the cannula. Sucessful collection of lymph has been obtained in about 85 per cent of the experiments, and for periods lasting more than 6 h. The method may prove a useful tool for further investigations in cardiac physiology.