Objective To explore the application of intraluminal shunt in the establishment of heterotopic heart transplantation model in rats. Methods Forty male SD rats were divided into traditional and improved groups, each with 20 rats. Rats were anesthetized by an intraperitoneal injection of 2% pentobarbital sodium. The donor rats were intubated through their mouth and mechanical ventilation was provided after thoracotomy. A 20G needle inserted through the right common carotid artery was used to inject about 10 mL of 4℃ HTK solution to induce cardiac arrest. After obtaining the donor heart, it was placed in 4℃ HTK solution for preservation. In the traditional group, the classic abdominal heterotopic heart transplantation was still established. The following method were used in the improved group. In the improved group, the inferior vena cava and abdominal aorta were clamped. The shunt was inserted into the vessel and fixed at both ends. The donor’s main pulmonary artery and ascending aorta were anastomosed with the recipient’s inferior vena cava and abdominal aorta. The inferior vena cava and abdominal aorta were occluded again. After removing the shunt, the suture was tightened and knotted. After confirmation of no bleeding, the clamps were opened. Results In the improved group, 10 rats were operated successfully. The donor heart survived for more than 72 hours. There was no ischemia, paraplegia or anastomotic bleeding in improved group. In the traditional group, nine rats were operated successfully with one dying of anastomotic bleeding. The improved group was better than the traditional group in terms of lower lamb muscle histopathological manifestations, total ischemic time, CKM and LDH content. Conclusions In abdominal heterotopic heart transplantation of rats, the use of the intraluminal shunt shortened the time of vascular occlusion, reduce the difficulty of vascular anastomosis, and increased the success rate of the operation.